0392. SEVEN FOOLS.

SEVEN FOOLS.

A fool is a man whose stupidity is proven by his actions or words. The-

I. Atheistical Fool. He says in his heart, "There is no God" (Psa_14:1). He wishes there was none, and so ventures to think and say there is no God. He is a fool for saying so, but he does not know He has not searched every corner of the universe to see.

II. Rationalistic Fool (1Co_15:35-36). He doubts the resurrection and denies all miracles, because he knows not the Scriptures nor the power of God. An American sceptic was overcome and conquered by these two woods, "Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened except it die." The weakness of man’s reason to grasp cannot make the Word of God of none effect.

III. Shameless Fool. This fool "makes a mock at sin" (Pro_14:9). A miner in Tasmania lately had his eyes blown out of his head by an explosion. He was a thoughtless and profane man. A very common expression of his was, "God curse my eyes." Sin is the abominable thing which God hates, and for which Christ shed His Blood. Yet fools make a mock at it.

IV. Thoughtless Fool (Mat_7:26). He goes on building the house of all his hopes for the future on the sand. So foolish is he that he expects to save himself by his own works, apart from that only foundation laid by God, the rock Christ Jesus.

V. Industrious Fool (Luk_12:20). This man is not a sceptic; he does not make a mock at sin. He is a thoughtful, active, and careful business man. But earthly goods are all that he is concerned about. He did well for himself, and men would praise him, but he was a fool in the sight of God, who weighs human lives in the balance of eternity. To trust in the abundance of riches and make not God your strength is supreme folly. What is your present life? It is but a vapour, therefore lay up treasure in Heaven. "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."

VI. Self-Confident Fool (Rom_1:21-22). This man knows there is a God, but glorifies him not as God. Neither is he thankful, but becomes vain in his imaginations, and professing himself to be wise he becomes a fool. Oh, the folly of believing in God and honouring Him not as God! Following the vain thoughts of his own foolish heart instead of the thoughts of God, substituting his own imaginations for the revealed will of God, he sees the light but loves the darkness better.

VII. Christian Fool (1Co_4:10). "We are fools for Christ’s sake." It is infinitely better to be a fool in the eyes of Christless men, and be wise in the sight of God, than be a fool in the sight of God and wise in the eyes of sin-blinded men. The wisdom of Christ is as far above the highest wisdom of men as the folly of a fool is below it. So to be wise in Christ is to be as a fool in the eyes of the worldly wise. After the learned Saul was converted he was called a "babbler." Festus called him "mad." The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him. For the Christian fool there is prepared a great and blessed asylum (Joh_14:2).

Autor: James Smith