The fool can't see

For a long time foolishness has been associated with blindness, which is pretty harsh on people who are visually impaired. What Solomon means in today's passage is that foolish people choose 'NOT' to see the truth that is before them. Their pride blinds them from recognising the error of their ways.

"Now I began a study of the comparative virtues of wisdom and folly, and anyone else would come to the same conclusion I did that wisdom is of more value than foolishness, just as light is better than darkness; for the wise man sees, while the fool is blind. And yet I noticed that there was one thing that happened to wise and foolish alike— just as the fool will die, so will I. So of what value is all my wisdom? Then I realized that even wisdom is futile. For the wise and fool both die, and in the days to come both will be long forgotten." - Ecclesiastes 2: 12-16

Solomon takes his musing to another level when he notes that both the wise and foolish share the same fate. We will all pass away. This seems to make him thoroughly depressed and makes him question the need to gain wisdom.

I personally believe that it is important to know the brevity of life, and that we all will end up experiencing death, but that this fact should motivate us to make wise decisions while we can. The decisions we make can impact the quality of our lives - foolish decisions can only complicate our lives.

Thoughts?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

The way of fools

It amazes me that nothing seems to have changed in the hearts of people for thousands of years. With all our inventions, technology, skills, access to knowledge and ability to master our environment, we are still yet to gain control of the 'person within.' The heart of a person is still swayed by sin and we need the grace of our Saviour to break the chains that bind us. Read these words to see where I am coming from.

"The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.
Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.
An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies.
The words of the reckless pierce like swords,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment." - Proverbs 12:15-19

We still live in a world where the 'way of fools' seems to be lauded as the best way and how reckless words pierce the hearts of innocent people. The only thing that may have changed is that now the 'way of fools' is also posted all over the internet and not just spoken in public.

Let us commit to becoming people of wisdom and Christians who follow the directives of Jesus.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

April Fools

On this April Fool's day is it worth thinking through the fact that every generation produces it's fair share of fools. No matter how much we study history, people still keep repeating the same mistakes from the past. It is little wonder that Solomon has nearly 30 references to fools or foolish ways in the book of Proverbs.

 

Proverbs 1:22 -“How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?

Proverbs 13:20 - Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.

Proverbs 23:9 - Do not speak to fools, for they will scorn your prudent words.

So, before we point our fingers at the 'fools' out there, let us make every effort to check our lives first.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

The month of Fools

April is known as the month of 'Fools' in some circles. I am not sure about the whole month, but at least the first of April is called "April Fools Day." In keeping with this theme I came across some interesting quotes on being a Fool, as well as some thought provoking words from the Scriptures.

Enjoy these thoughts and may we all ask God to help us act with less foolish than in the past.

“There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn't true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true.” - Søren Kierkegaard

“Any fool can criticize, complain, and condemn—and most fools do. But it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving.” - Dale Carnegie

“When we are born, we cry that we are come to this great stage of fools.” - William Shakespeare, King Lear

How does a man become wise? The first step is to trust and reverence the Lord! Only fools refuse to be taught. Listen to your father and mother. What you learn from them will stand you in good stead; it will gain you many honours.” – Proverbs 1:7-9

Ephesians 5:15-16 - So be careful how you act; these are difficult days. Don’t be fools; be wise: make the most of every opportunity you have for doing good.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Left or Right?

I was reading through Ecclesiastes this morning when I came across an interesting concept. Solomon speaks of our hearts inclining to either the left or right hand side:

"The heart of the wise inclines to the right,
but the heart of the fool to the left." - Ecclesiastes 10:2

So which way is your heart leaning today? Left or Right?

He adds a further point later in the same chapter:
"Words from a wise man's mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips." (v.12)

 Deciding whether we are foolish or wise is not as simple as it seems. Perhaps the best way to get an honest answer is to ask your loved ones :)

“Christ never meant that we were to remain children in intelligence: on the contrary. He told us to be not only 'as harmless as doves', but also 'as wise as serpents'. He wants a child's heart, but a grown-up's head. He wants us to be simple, single-minded, affectionate, and teachable, as good children are; but He also wants every bit of intelligence we have to be alert at its job, and in first-class fighting trim.” - C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

Living in Grace
D3LM3

April Fool

Apparently the earliest recorded association between April 1 and foolishness can be found in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, written in 1392 (so says wikipedia). Every year thousands of people are caught out by practical jokes, hoax stories and ludicrous announcements. Watch out for them!

The torture and death of Jesus Christ will never be a joke, although some try to discredit Jesus. The agony that He went through was real.

His Resurrection is also not a hoax, although skeptics try to distract us from the triumph of the empty tomb. People can call me a fool for following Jesus, but that's alright - I have been called worse things!

1 Corinthians 1:18 - "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."

Living in Grace,
D3LM3