Part I
There was a man named Esau. He was a twin, and since he was the first-born twin, he was in line to receive the honor and inheritance of the firstborn son. However, Esau was a foolish man. He was far more interested in satisfying his immediate appetites, gave no thought to the consequences of his actions, held his sacred inheritance in low regard, and thought more of his own selfish immediate needs than he did of his duty as the firstborn son. Esau was a foolish man. He caused his father much grief, and lost his fortune and his rightful place in the lineage of Jesus Christ.
The Bible gives us many examples of people who were very foolish. From Eve to Saul to the Prodigal Son to Judas to Ananias and Sapphira, we see foolish behavior in all of its many variations. And my guess is that you, too, have encountered foolish behavior in some of the people in your life.
Some people behave foolishly on a sporadic basis; others are consistently foolish. As we talk about foolish people, we need to be aware that we could be talking about ourselves as well. None of us is exempt from any of these foolish characteristics.
I spent ten years doing my own thing, walking away from my commitment to Jesus Christ, and I shake my head in shame as I think of how foolishly I behaved in those years. It was particularly foolish because I knew better.
We are going to look to God’s Word to define foolish behavior for us. Calling someone a fool is not our prerogative, but God’s word gives us a clear description of a fool and how he or she behaves.
As I describe this foolish behavior, please be aware that not all foolish people have all of these characteristics. In fact, few would be guilty of all. You may know foolish people with only one of these traits, but it is so pronounced and overwhelming, that it consumes them.
What is foolish behavior?
Denying, disregarding, or rebelling against God
The fool says in his heart “There is no God” (Psalm 14:1).
It is very foolish to ignore the living God. In fact, nothing could be more foolish. And this applies not only to those who are outright atheists or agnostics, but also to those who live as though there is no God. If you asked them, many would say, “Oh, sure I believe there is a God.” But nothing in their life or lifestyle shows any acknowledgement of God. They live as though God does not exist.
Slandering, lying, deceiving
He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool (Proverbs 10:18).
A fool’s talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them (Proverbs 14:3).
Foolish people don’t hesitate to lie. They are big on running other people down. Their mouths get them into trouble often.
Just think of the foolish people you know. Aren’t their mouths one of their biggest problems? Well, when our mouths are out of control we, too, are foolish.
Evil conduct
Doing wrong is fun for a fool, while wise conduct is a pleasure to the wise (Proverbs 10:23).
Foolish people find doing wrong fun—or at least that’s what they try to tell themselves. It’s not that they just make a mistake, yield to a temptation, have a once-in-awhile problem. They truly find pleasure in doing wrong.
Self-Deceived
The way of a fool seems right to him,but a wise man listens to advice (Proverbs 12:15).
Foolish people always think they are right. They never can see the error of their ways. Or even if they do, they would never admit it. They can’t face the fact that they might be wrong, so they live in self-deception.
Quick-Tempered
A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted (Proverbs 12:16).
A quick-tempered man does foolish things, and a crafty man is hated (Proverbs 14:17).
It is foolish behavior to lose your temper. A foolish person will say and do all kinds of foolish things because of his/her temper. Their temper is often notorious.
Acts impetuously and without regard for consequences
Wise people think before they act; fools don’t and even brag about it! (Proverbs 13:16).
A wise man fears the Lord and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless (Proverbs 14:16).
Do you know someone who does or says whatever pops into his or her head, without any regard for how it affects the future, other people, their pocketbooks, etc.? They have no regard for consequences; they live totally for the pleasure of the moment. And they brag about it!
Talks endlessly, brags, spouts off frequently
The wise person makes learning a joy; fools spout only foolishness (Proverbs 15:2).
A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions (Proverbs 18:2).
The mouths of fools are their ruin; their lips get them into trouble (Proverbs 18:7).
It is foolish to talk endlessly. Proverbs 10:19 reminds us that “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” Jesus warned us that “men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken” (Matthew 12:36).
Foolish people have an opinion on anything and everything. They have very little knowledge, but they always have an opinion. And of course, they are very vocal about their opinion with little regard for anyone else’s opinion.
If ever anyone gets into trouble with his/her mouth, it is the foolish person. They bring great trouble on themselves with their careless and loose tongue.
Refuses advice, accountability and/or discipline
A fool spurns his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence (Proverbs 15:5).
A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred lashes a fool (Proverbs 17:10).
A fool never accepts advice or correction of any kind. They are unteachable. And they refuse needed disciplines in their lives. Disciplines like being on time, fulfilling their promises, being accountable for their actions, being dependable, following through and following up.
Handles money recklessly
Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom? (Proverbs 17:16).
It is senseless to pay tuition to educate a fool who has no heart for wisdom (Proverbs 17:16).
In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has (Proverbs 21:20).
The money you spend to educate a child with a foolish attitude is often wasted. They are not ashamed to spend your money and give nothing in return. They have no desire to learn, no desire to be educated. They don’t save money; they are always in debt; they are always trying to borrow money to get by; they live from hand to mouth; they make no financial plans for their future.
They never seem to be embarrassed to waste other people’s money or to sponge off of other people.
Quarrels frequently, picks fights, is contentious
Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating (Proverbs 18:6).
It is to a man’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel (Proverbs 20:3).
A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control (Proverbs 29:11).
Because of their quick temper and their desire to always be right and their big mouths, foolish people have many confrontations, arguments and relationship conflicts. They are the one to pick the fight, especially when they think they have been treated wrongly.
Lazy, lacks focus and ambition
A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eye wander to the ends of the earth (Proverbs 17:24).
Foolish people refuse to work and almost starve (Ecc. 4:5).
A wise person thinks much about death, while the fool thinks only about having a good time now (Ecc. 7:4).
Fools are so exhausted by a little work that they have no strength for even the simplest tasks (Ecc. 10:15).
They would rather starve than work. They can sleep all day. They are couch potatoes. They just won’t work—certainly not hard. They have no plans for their future; all they care about is having fun today.
Never learns from past experience
As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool repeats his folly (Proverbs 26:11).
You cannot separate fools from their foolishness, even though you grind them like grain with mortar and pestle (Proverbs 27:22).
With all the trouble they bring on themselves, fools still never seem to learn. No matter how bad the consequences of their behavior, they repeat the same things over and over.
That’s a very long list of foolish traits and characteristics, and no doubt you’ve thought of some people you know. The problem arises when we must interact with these people—especially when we have to face them regularly, like on our jobs or in our families!
Have you noticed that often your coworkers are not people with whom you would choose to spend eight hours a day? And when they have foolish behavior, you will find that they irritate you often and cause you frustration and stress.