The Devil’s Fool

 

Painting of a jester
Artist: Kathyann Chevalier

I believe that most Christians haven’t the reverential fear of God that we ought to have. That acceptable worship with reverence and awe spoken of in Hebrews 12:28 is no longer offered to God and we don’t seem to grasp that that fear of God is the beginning of authentic knowledge (Proverbs 1:7) because, if we truly understood that, we’d know that we should hate sin utterly and not tolerate it, make excuses for it, and even participate in sinful activities (Proverbs 8:13).

We are but arrogant fools who despise skillful and godly wisdom and instruction and self-discipline; not my words but those of the wisest man that ever lived, Solomon in the Book of Wisdom, Proverbs 1:7.

Some of you must be protesting by now and eager to click close, before you do read Romans 1:18-31 and see for yourself if you haven’t indulged in any of the activities Paul has listed there. Be totally honest with yourself, and, even if your answer is “No!” to any or all of those things, then read verse 32.

Romans 1:32, as it is written,

“Though they are fully aware of God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve to die, they not only do them themselves but approve and applaud others who practice them.” (AMPC)

And this is not Old Testament but New Testament. Jesus Christ has already been crucified and resurrected by the time Paul is writing this letter to Christian people. Have you never approved and applauded others who practiced such godless behaviour? Think about it and read from verse 18 to verse 32 again and from several versions before you answer that question.

The truth is, our response to sin has mostly been one of indifference. We Christian people have diluted the Word of God to appease the masses and our apathetic reaction to ungodliness is certainly not pleasing to God.

We live in a world of corruption and polluted ideas, ideals, images, and influences but the Word of God says, “Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things…” (Psalm 119:37 NKJV); one translation refers to the worthless things as “toys and trinkets” for good reason.

Yes it is difficult to avoid those toys and trinkets but you don’t have to pay attention to them or allow them to distract you or enter into your mind to become a part of your psyche. Remember James’ warning, “You’re cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way.” (James 4:4 MSG).

One of the devil’s subtle ploys is to make sin so pleasurable, attractive, entertaining and even humorous, that you don’t realize it is sin; he covers sin under a cloak and makes it unrecognizable and when we respond the way he intended, he has accomplished exactly what he set out to do. 

Responding in that way to sin, demonstrates that we have been properly duped into approving and applauding practices that go against God’s righteous decree, and we become the devil’s fool.

The devil will do everything he possibly can to make sin appealing and not look like sin, and how easily we fall into his trap.

Beloved, God has provided ways for us to escape the traps that the devil sets, as a matter of fact, God has graciously and lovingly given us everything we need to overcome this world and live godly lives outside of this world’s system. It is up to us to find out for ourselves by drawing nearer to God, read, listen to, and meditate on His Word and plant it in our hearts. If we are to lead Spirit-filled lives and avoid the devil’s trip wires we must sow to the Spirit (see Galatians 6:8).

None of us, I’m sure, wants to be labelled a fool and by no means the devil’s fool, so let us pray…

God, teach me lessons for living so I can stay the course.

Give me insight so I can do what You tell me – my whole life one long, obedient response.

Guide me down the road of Your commandments; I love traveling this freeway!

Give me a bent for Your words of wisdom, and not for piling up loot. Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets, invigorate me on the pilgrim way.

Affirm Your promises to me – promises made to all who fear You. Deflect the harsh words of my critics – but what You say is always so good.

See how hungry I am for Your counsel; preserve my life through Your righteous ways!

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen †

(prayer taken from Psalm 119:33-40 MSG)

 

Shelley Johnson “The Devil’s Fool” © 2017 revisited October 15, 2025