“I Pity the Fool!”

Growing up I remember watching “The A Team” and the polarizing character of Mr. T. Well, with all this talk about fools in Proverbs, I couldn’t help but think of the line, “I pity the fool!” that quickly became his catchphrase after Rocky 3.

In Proverbs 1:20-33, we meet wisdom that is characterized as a lady…I like that pretty good. God is perfect and he chose to make wisdom a woman right off the bat in Chapter 1, so that should tell those men something about how smart we are. Kidding, only kidding. But seriously, she is standing out in the street basically screaming, “I pity the fool!” and “When are you going to quit being foolish and ignoring what God says?” I know that no one likes being called a fool, but that is exactly what we are when we choose to not listen to God and turn from our own knowledge (or lack thereof). You see, fools think that they are always right. Wisdom tells us different. God is always right and we lack knowledge…knowledge that can only come from trusting God. God says when we turn from being fools, He will pour out His spirit upon us and make His Words known to us (verse 23). That is wisdom, my friends…God’s Words etched in our heart, seeing how awful we are and how great God is!

I seen this quote online and not sure where it came from, but I like it and want to share:

“You can give a person knowledge, but you can’t make them think. Some people want to remain fools, only because the truth requires change.”

Wow. That’s why we don’t want wisdom. It requires change in us. We don’t want to change. We think we are right. Proud. Haughty. Those describe the fool. When we possess the Holy Spirit, pride and arrogance leave to make way for humility. With that humility, comes wisdom. “For the simple (those who lack wisdom) are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them; but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.” (Proverbs 1:22-23).

Yep, I pity the fool that will see the destruction of God because they refuse to change their ways. Remember, God doesn’t always strive with man. (Genesis 6:3) If you feel the warnings from “Lady Wisdom” in the streets, run swiftly. Turn away from your foolish ways and be secure and at ease in the Father. There’s no pity there…only peace.