“The Folly of Fools is Deception.” (Prov. 14:8)

I have been spending time in the Proverbs recently and found it interesting the number of times that the NIV text uses the word "fool". It is amazing what the Lord says about a fool. It is also amazing that we, as individuals and as a nation, have forgotten what the Lord says about a fool. Here is just a sampling of the many verses that refer to a fool.

Proverbs 1:7: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline."

Proverbs 1:22: "How long will you simple ones
love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?"

Proverbs 10:18: "He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool."

Proverbs 10:23: "A fool finds pleasure in evil conduct, but a man of understanding delights in wisdom."

Proverbs 12:15: "The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice."

Proverbs 14:8: "The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception."

Proverbs 14:16: "A wise man fears the Lord and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless."

Proverbs 15:2: "The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly."

Proverbs 17:16: "Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom?"

Proverbs 18:2: "A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions."

Proverbs 20:3: "It is to a man's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel."

Proverbs 26:11: "As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly."

Oh Lord, Your Word is so clear that true wisdom comes only from You and that man's wisdom is folly, yet we have all acted as fools so many times by ignoring Your teachings and refusing Your wisdom.

Father, forgive me for being a fool!

Father, forgive the church for being foolish and not demonstrating to the world Your wisdom and truth.

Father, forgive our country for turning away from Your counsel and foolishly choosing to follow the wisdom on man instead.

Have mercy on us Lord and direct our hearts back to the Your wisdom found in the Bible.

Amen!