“Praise for a fool is out of place, like snow in summer or rain at harvest time.” (Proverbs 26:1 Good News Translation)
Fools, foolish people saying foolish things and forwarding thoughts that clash with the truth; fools are not to get our praise. A correction, some instruction, a discussion that changes their declarations, and some clarifications that lead to truths that will make one wise are appropriate responses to fools, not praise. In case you are asking, “Who is a fool,” let me provide you with a couple of Biblical responses. Psalm 14:1 says, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God’.” The fool is corrupt, and has committed abominable deeds. He lives on the basis of theoretical conclusion as opposed to the truth contained in God’s word. Psalm 1:22 (Read it!) lets us know that fools are oozing with pride and hate knowledge; rejects knowledge and resists wisdom. There are many other Scriptures you can find to understand the word “fool” from a Biblical perspective. There are also Scriptures to help you avoid fools, the foolish, and foolishness. In general, 2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Be diligent to present yourself as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.” Later, just a few verses down, it says, “Now flee from youthful lusts, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing they produce quarrels (2 Timothy 2:22-23).” If you stay in the word of God, you will quickly be able to identity the fool, rebut the foolish, and counter foolishness. You will be able to evade foolish thoughts and resist the irrational enticements that come with temptations. Fools, the foolish, and foolishness will come in waves in the hot months ahead, raging against you like an irritating sea. The luring of lives of many, people who are trying to live holy will be lured by fools to do foolish things this summer; things that cannot be summarized in a short list or even enclosed in a one-volume collection. You know how it is with the summer months, summer daze, and summer haze. The advice of fools and the adventures of the foolish are layered, flavored with enticements framed as enjoyment and normal behavior. You know how it is in summer months, the season where the righteous are fooled in to thinking wrong is right, immodesty is chic, charming, and a coveted style. Summer break is viewed as an occasion to focus on party gathering over gathering with the saints of God. Summer months carry with them a foolish concept of being free; free to do “whatever” rather than free to do “whatever God” requires of you. Since when did the Divine declare any season to be a time to deviate from Christian living?
Speaking of seasons, our opening verse gives a great analogy to show that praising a fool is out of place. Praising a fool is like praying for snow in the winter and for rain during the harvest season.
Listen! I have a better suggestion for you, an alternative, “Praise ye the Lord.” That is never out of place and many times, it is your praising that will keep you in place, from God’s perspective. The temperature my be hot today or during this season often, but don’t put your praise in the wrong place, as evident by your choices. Praise does not belong to fools. That’s the wrong place. Praise belongs to God. That’s the right place. So praise Him in your walk, praise Him in your talk, and praise Him especially when you need to stay God-consciousness; including that time when that “one thing” that is personally attacking you right now is getting the best of you. (Come on! Only you know what that “one thing” is, right?) Don’t live as a fool! Avoid the foolish! Steer your will away from foolishness! Walk upright as a wise child of God! Be blessed!
“But those who hear my instructions and ignore them are foolish, like a man who builds his house on sand.” (Matthew 7:26 The Living Bible)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King