Playing the Fool

I just can't get off the book of Proverbs. There is too much and it's just too good. As I was reading through a passage last night the fool was identified several times. A foot note in my bible confirmed three ways to play the fool:

1. Be gullible- The simple believes every word, but the prudent considers well his steps. (Proverbs 14:15)
2. Be arrogant- A wise man fears and departs from evil, but a fool rages and is self-confident. (Proverbs 14:16)
3. Be quick-tempered-A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a man of wicked intentions is hated. (Proverbs 14:17)

Of course we all want to believe that the fool is the one that is not a believer in Christ. He is a heathen that we don't want to deal with. He is the face on America's Most Wanted. Perhaps he is the child that tormented you in the first grade. He's the lazy grasshopper in the story of the Ant and Grasshopper.

However, the truth is the fool can be, and in many cases is, played by a professed Christian. Of course it doesn't match up. Christians and fools are on total opposite ends of the spectrum, right? One would hope but all to often a Christian may lose a battle with an unbeliever because of his or her foolish attitude. What is worse is sometimes the fool is closer to you than you think. I sometimes find myself playing the fool when I should be playing the wise one.

First, playing the fool by being gullible. I'm not talking about the cheesy joke, "Hey did you know that gullible isn't in the dictionary?" NO, I'm talking about taking every one's word, even when it is contradictory to one's faith. Worse, taking "The Word" from man without seeking and understanding the scripture yourself. How many times have we just taken a pastor's view on the word without even referencing the scriptures ourselves? I am by no means saying that a pastor is not of God. However, we are called to read those scriptures and understand them. We cannot depend fully on one man to be wise for us all. Think about it. In a study group, if you only have one person read the material and present it to the rest of the group what happens? Well when you try to apply this material on a test you come up on a question that wasn't mentioned in the presentation by your designated reader. You don't have an answer, but the reader does, and he understands it perfectly. The same is true in reading and understanding God's word. Your pastor may understand it perfectly but he can't convey every single tid bit of knowledge that he has to you. You have to take that responsibility.

Being arrogant aka "Holier than thou" attitudes. We can't presume ourselves to be better than everyone else. It is most unfortunate that too often we do without even realizing it. I remember as a teenager my mom telling me not to hang around certain individuals, "they're trouble." Of course she was being over protective like any mom would be. But she unknowingly passed judgement on a group of individuals whose hearts she didn't know. Perhaps these individuals were just as lost and alone as any one else. I wouldn't know, I too played the fool and never befriended them. Our attitudes reflected our faith poorly in this case. Also, refusing to admit wrongs, not asking forgiveness because you don't feel you've done anything. Perhaps you find yourself arguing for hours just to prove you're right. Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought. God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble.

Finally, there is the fool played by being quick-tempered. "Holly Rollers," They get a little over excited about their faith with their "Turn or Burn" statements. They get angry in the face of sin instead of showing grace. Then there are also those who are just set off too easily outside of their faith. Working in retail I've dealt with more dissatisfied customers than I care to recall. Some of the worst of these were Christians. So badly I just wanted to grab them and give them a good shake and say, "Where is Jesus? I'd rather talk to him than you!" I too have had my fair share of quick-temperedness. Especially when it came to dealing with financial aid and academic records at my Christian University. Too often I just wanted go off the deep end and give them a good tongue lashing. Thank goodness I never did but my temper was still very much unapproved.

It is so easy to make others the fools in the wise sayings in Proverbs. No body wants to be the fool. But to fully gain the wisdom God has granted us we have to realize sometimes we are the fools. Then we can institute change.