Being Successful The Way of the Fool is Folly

Being Successful

The Way of the Fool is Folly

If you want to be wise you don’t want to be a fool

Proverbs defines the fool

A fool despises wisdom and walks in folly

They choose to disregard God and His wisdom Psalms 14:1; 53:1

 

The fool is described as one who trust in himself

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes” Proverbs 12:15

The opposite is Proverbs 3

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and

lean not on your own understanding

The Way of the Fool is Folly

It’s not a national holiday, but around the

world there is one day that celebrates “FOOLS”.

April first is a day of pranks and hoax and jokes.

It is a day to play tricks on others.

It is a day to make others look foolish.

Most of April Fool’s Day is in fun but

there is nothing funny about fools.

The goal of the Book of Proverbs is to impart wisdom.

Proverbs 1:1-3

One way to learn about something is to consider its opposite.

If you want to be wise you don’t want to be a fool.

Proverbs defines the fool.

A fool despises wisdom and walks in folly.

They choose to disregard God and His wisdom.

Psalms 14:1; 53:1  

The fool is described as…

One who trusts in himself.

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes.”

Proverbs 12:15

“Those who trust in themselves are fools.”

Proverbs 28:26

The contrast is found in Proverbs 3…

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and

lean not on your own understanding

Fools don’t hear very well.

 They are deaf to instruction.

“Fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Proverbs 1:7

“To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.”

Proverbs 18:13

In contrast

Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will

despise the wisdom of thy words.

Proverbs 23:9

Fools cannot be disciplined.

“A single rebuke does more for a person of understanding
than a hundred lashes on the back of a fool.”

Proverbs 17:10

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,

but whoever hates correction is stupid.”

Proverbs 12:1

In contrast

“Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent,

but folly brings punishment to fools.”

Proverbs 16:22

Fools are impulsive.

“A fool vents all his feelings”

Proverbs 29:11

“Fools show their annoyance at once”

Proverbs 12:16

In contrast

“Whoever is patient has great understanding,

but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.”

Proverbs 14:29

Fools enjoy doing wrong.

“A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes”

Proverbs 10 23

“Fools mock at making amends for sin”

Proverbs 14:9

In contrast

“The wise fear the LORD and shun evil,

but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure.”

Proverbs 14:16

Fools are virtually unchangeable.

“Though you grind a fool in a mortar,

grinding them like grain with a pestle,

 you will not remove their folly from them.”

Proverbs 27:22

“A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,

but fools detest turning from evil.”

Proverbs 12:19

“As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.”

Proverbs 28:11

In contrast

“Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you;

rebuke the wise and they will love you.”

Proverbs 9:8

The qualities of a fool are elaborated on in Proverbs 26:1-12.

Conclusion Proverbs 3:35

  

“The wise inherit honor, but fools get only shame.”

What will be your inheritance?

What will be your legacy?

It all depends on our willingness to listen to the Lord.

Scripture Reading

Proverbs 26:1-12

1 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest,

honor is not fitting for a fool.

2 Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow,

an undeserved curse does not come to rest.

3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,

and a rod for the backs of fools!

4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly,

or you yourself will be just like him.

5 Answer a fool according to his folly,

or he will be wise in his own eyes.

6 Sending a message by the hands of a fool

is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison.

7 Like the useless legs of one who is lame

is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.

8 Like tying a stone in a sling

is the giving of honor to a fool.

9 Like a thornbush in a drunkard’s hand

is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.

10 Like an archer who wounds at random

is one who hires a fool or any passer-by.

11 As a dog returns to its vomit,

so fools repeat their folly.

12 Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? 

There is more hope for a fool than for them.