A Fool has NO Heart for Wisdom……..

“If you answer a silly question, you are just as silly as the person who asked it.

 Give a silly answer to a silly question, and the one who asked it will realize that he's not as smart as he thinks”.    Prov. 26:4-5   GNT

These considerations necessitate discerning the character of others and, in particular, that of a fool.   Not only will we be able to see foolishness in others but hopefully, we will also see a greater measure of it in ourselves.   May God enable us to be honest with ourselves, to confess our foolishness, and to forsake it as sinful and destructive, both to ourselves and to others.

It is much easier to identify a fool in terms of what he is NOT than in terms of what he is.   The Book of Proverbs describes to us many characteristics of the fool.

The fool is unrighteous.   He hates what is holy, righteous, and good and he loves the things of this world. 

“Fools laugh at sin, but the favor of God is among the faithful”.  Prov. 14:9 NLV

The fool is unwise.  

Throughout Proverbs the fool is the counterpart of the wise.  Wisdom is contrasted with foolishness. 

The fool has no capacity for wisdom.   In the words of Prov. 17:16, he has “no heart” for it.  He may seek wisdom, but he is incapable of recognizing or retaining it.

He has no desire for wisdom and would reject it even if he could acquire it because he hates it.

“Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and discipline”.   Prov. 1:7 NLT

“A fool does not find joy in understanding
but only in expressing his own opinion”.   Prov. 18:2 GW

“Speak not in the ears of a [self-confident] fool, for he will despise the [godly] Wisdom of your words”.   Prov. 23:9 AMP