According to the Bible’s description of a fool, it has become quite clear to me that I have engaged in foolish behaviour. Being foolish is one thing, but to be a fool of biblical proportions is an entirely different matter; that, is no ordinary fool.
I must humbly admit that from time to time,
I’ve been a fool as biblically defined, and I am quite sure that I’m not the
only one.
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| Painting of a Clown by Kathyann Chevalier |
God’s word is rife with descriptions of fools and foolish behaviour. There were just too many of which I could choose, so I’ve pulled verses only from the Book of Wisdom – Proverbs. If you can relate to any of these, then you too have engaged in foolish behaviour.
While reading through this long,
interesting list of verses, you will realize that you actually know some
biblical fools, but it's not about them, it is about you.
I encourage you to be honest in light of
the Word of God, examine yourself, take a good look inwardly, repent and
re-order your life under God.
Here goes…
Fear of
the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise
wisdom and discipline.
Proverbs 1:7 (NLT)
Fools are destroyed
by their own complacency.
Proverbs 1:32 (NLT)
Fools think their
own way is right, but the wise listen to others.
Proverbs 12:15 (NLT)
A fool is
quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted.
Proverbs 12:16 (NLT)
The wise don’t make
a show of their knowledge, but fools broadcast their foolishness.
Proverbs 12:23 (NLT)
Wise people think
before they act; fools don’t—and even brag about their foolishness.
Proverbs 13:16 (NLT)
It is pleasant to
see dreams come true, but fools refuse to turn from evil to attain them. Walk
with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.
Proverbs 13:19-20 (NLT)
The prudent
understand where they are going, but fools deceive themselves. Fools make fun
of guilt, but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation.
Proverbs 14:8-9 (NLT)
Fools believe every
word they hear, but wise people think carefully about everything.
Proverbs 14:15 (ERV)
The wise are
cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.
Proverbs 14:16 (NLT)
Wealth is a crown
for the wise; the effort of fools yields only foolishness.
Proverbs 14:24 (NLT)
The tongue of the
wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out
foolishness.
Proverbs 15:2 (NLT)
Only a fool
despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise.
Proverbs 15:5 (NLT)
Fools hate to be
told they are wrong, so they refuse to ask wise people for advice.
Proverbs 15:12 (ERV)
A wise person is
hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash.
Proverbs 15:14 (NLT)
Only a fool would
promise to pay for someone else’s debts.
Proverbs 17:18 (ERV)
Intelligent people
think about what needs to be done here and now. Fools are always dreaming about
faraway places.
Proverbs 17:24 (ERV)
Fools don’t want to
learn from others. They only want to tell their own ideas. Fools say things to
start arguments. They are just asking for a beating. Fools hurt themselves when
they speak. Their own words trap them. Let people finish speaking before you
try to answer them. That way you will not embarrass yourself and look foolish.
Proverbs 18:2,6,7,13 (ERV)
Avoiding a fight is
a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling.
Proverbs 20:3 (NLT)
The wise have
wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get.
Proverbs 21:20 (NLT)
Fools cannot
understand wisdom. They have nothing to say when people are discussing
important things.
Proverbs 24:7 (ERV)
Don’t speak against
someone without a good reason, or you will appear foolish.
Proverbs 24:28 (ERV)
Singing happy songs
to a sad person is as foolish as taking a coat off on a cold day…
Proverbs 25:20 (ERV)
Like a dog that
returns to its vomit, a fool does the same foolish things again and again.
People who think they are wise when they are not are worse than fools.
Proverbs 26:11-12 (ERV)
Interfering in
someone else’s argument is as foolish as yanking a dog’s ears.
Proverbs 26:17 (NLT)
Wise people see
trouble coming and get out of its way, but fools go straight to the trouble and
suffer for it.
Proverbs 27:12 (ERV)
Even if you pound
fools to powder like grain in a bowl, you will never force the foolishness out
of them.
Proverbs 27:22 (ERV)
If you think you
know it all, you’re a fool for sure;
Proverbs 28:26 (MSG)
…The foolish man
[ignores logic and fairness and] only rages or laughs, and there is no peace
(rest, agreement).
Proverbs 29:9 (AMP)
Fools vent their
anger, but the wise quietly hold it back.
Proverbs 29:11 (NLT)
Three
things are too much for even the earth to bear, yes, four things shake its
foundations— (#2) when a fool gets rich…
Proverbs 30:21, 22 (MSG)
If you have been
foolish enough to become proud and make plans against other people, stop and
think about what you are doing.
Proverbs 30:32 (ERV)
Amen†
Shelley Johnson “Let us Repent of…Foolish
Behaviour” © 2017 revisited March 19, 2025
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