Don’t Be A Fool

Have you been pranked yet today? Or maybe you’re the one who’s doing the pranking?

Yep. Today is universally known as April Fool’s Day.

There are many theories on the origin of April Fool’s Day. But the most widely accepted, says ChatGPT, “is when France switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar as ordered by Pope Gregory XIII.”

“Under the Julian calendar, the New Year was celebrated around April 1. When the Gregorian calendar was adopted, the new year was moved to January 1.

“People who failed to recognize the change and continued celebrating the New Year in April were mocked and called ‘April fools.’”

“Pranksters would play tricks on these people, giving rise to the custom of playing pranks on April 1.”

ThePreachersWord thought about posting an April Fool’s joke, but decided that would be foolish, given the nature of our blog. So, instead we’ll share some succinct, serious instructions from the Bible on how not to be a fool.

The book of Proverbs, known as a book of wisdom, also offers advice on shunning foolishness.

Don’t be a slanderer or liar.
Prov 10:17
The one who conceals hatred has lying lips,
and whoever utters slander is a fool.

Don’t give an answer before really listening.
Prov 18:13
He who answers a matter before he hears it,
It is folly and shame to him.

Don’t respond to the stupidity of a fool.
Prov 26:4
Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest you also be like him.

Don’t be hotheaded and reckless.
Prov 14:17
A quick-tempered man acts foolishly,
And a man of wicked intentions is hated.

Don’t be a know-it-all.
Prov 28:26
Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool,
but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.

Don’t let it all hang out by venting all of your feelings
Prov 29:11
A fool vents all his feelings,
But a wise man holds them back.

Don’t find pleasure in evil conduct or wicked schemes.
Prov 10:23
Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool,
but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.

Don’t despise the wisdom of wise advisors.
Prov 12:15
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
but a wise man listens to advice.

Don’t Ignore a Wise Father’s Instruction
Prov 15:5
A fool despises his father’s instruction,
but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.

Don’t trust a fool to convey an important message.
Prov 26:6
Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool
cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.

Don’t be naive.
Prov 14:18
The simple inherit folly,
but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

Additionally the Preacher in Ecclesiastes 7:9 warns against being an angry person who’s easily provoked. “Be not quick in your spirit to become angry,
for anger lodges in the bosom of fools.”

The Psalmist exhorts Don’t deny the existence of God,
Ps 14:1
The fool has said in his heart,
“There is no God.”

Jesus also warned against being a fool on several occasions.

Don’t selfishly use and put your trust in material wealth like the rich fool in Luke 12:16-21.

Don’t build your life or base your values on the shifting sands of worldly standards like the foolish builder in Matthew 7:26-28.

Don’t neglect to faithfully prepare and be ready for Jesus’ return like the five foolish virgins in Matthew 25:1-13.

Don’t fall prey to ignorant speculations, useless contentions, and unprofitable arguments, as Paul admonished in 2 Timothy 2:23 and Titus 3:9.

I hope you find this serious scriptural advice helpful. Because it’s important to remember and apply Proverbs 12:15.

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman