13/10/2021 Wednesday
Fool or Wise
Can you tell the difference?
How do pigs and sheep differ?
• They differ in skin, build, noise, likes, food, digestion, etc.
• We can tell the difference between these animals, but how well can we tell the difference
between a Fool and a Wise Person.
• This evening we are going to examine their interaction with their Anger and
Sin.
Fools, Wise People and Anger
• (Proverbs 12:16) “A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.”
• The fool cannot control his anger. He immediately explodes when provoked.
• The prudent (wise) man covers shame by staying quiet when provoked.
• (Proverbs 14:16) “A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is
confident.”
• The wise man fears the consequences of evil and he turns away from evil. He looks ahead. He thinks
before acting.
• The fool rages (i.e., crosses over, climbs the fence) and confidently walks into evil. Not really talking
about anger.
Fools, Wise People and Anger
• (Proverbs 14:17) “He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is
hated.”
• The fool has a very short fuse. He gets angry very quickly. He jumps right in and acts foolishly.
• (Proverbs 16:14) “The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify
it.”
• A wise person seeks to cover issues that will upset others and attempts to calm tense situations.
Fools, Wise People and Anger
• (Proverbs 27:3) “A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool’s wrath is heavier than
them both.”
• A fool’s wrath is a heavy load for him to carry. It is a heavy burden.
• (Proverbs 29:8) “Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.”
• Wise men turn away anger and calm tense situations.
• The opposite is true of fools who are scornful or bragging.
Summary on Anger
• The fool and anger
• Gets angry quickly
• Crosses borders confidently
• Hot-tempered and foolish
• Is soon angry and deals foolishly
• His wrath is a heavy burden and causes heavy burdens.
• The wise man and anger
• Covers shameful things to prevent anger.
• Fears consequences and turns from evil
• Covers irritations and calms and anger.
• They turn away wrath and calm tense situations
They turn away wrath and calm tense situations
Fools, Wise People and Sin
• (Proverbs 7:22) “He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to
the correction of the stocks;”
• The fool does not realise the serious consequences of his foolish actions any more than an ox headed
for death.
• (Proverbs 10:23) “It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath
wisdom.”
• Fools take sport in (i.e., joke about) doing wicked things.
• The man with insight to hate evil has wisdom.
Fools, Wise People and Sin
• (Proverbs 13:19) “The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools
to depart from evil.”
• Fools find it repulsive to turn away from evil. They love the freedom of doing as they please.
• (Proverbs 14:9) “Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.”
• Fools scoff at sin. They do not take it seriously.
Fools, Wise People and Sin
• (Proverbs 14:16) “A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is
confident.”
• When the wise sees evil, he fears and runs from it.
• Fools cross dangerous fences without running for refuge.
• (Proverbs 17:12) “Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.”
• This fool is an arrogant person who loves foolishness. He is more dangerous than a furious mother bear
robbed of her cubs.
Fools, Wise People and Sin
• (Proverbs 17:24) “Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are
in the ends of the earth.”
• The wise person turns his face to things that will make him more wise.
• The fool never finds satisfaction no matter where he looks.
Fools, Wise People and Sin
• (Proverbs 21:20) “There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a
foolish man spendeth it up.”
• The wise person saves and stores up food and money for the future times of need.
• The fool spends every dollar he gets and saves nothing.
• (Proverbs 28:26) “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he
shall be delivered.“
• The fool trusts his own heart. He follows his feelings.
• The wise person walks prudently and escapes troubles.
Summary on Sin
• The fool and sin
• He does not realise sin’s seriousness
• He jokes about sin
• He loves sin and hates to leave it
• He laughs about sin.
• He is a daring sinner
• He is a dangerous sinner
• He is an unsatisfied sinner
• The wise man and sin
• He hates evil
• He fears evil and runs from it
• He turns from sin and toward things that make him more wise
• He saves up for the future
• He walks prudently and escapes troubles
Questions to Ponder
• How do you respond to irritations? Do you get angry?
• Do you stir up arguments or calm them?
• Do you have a short fuse and explode quickly?
• Do you try to cover hurts and calm tension?
• Do you take sin seriously and fear it?
• Do you ever laugh at sinful things or do you hate sin?
• Are you a saver or a spender?
• Do you follow your feelings or God’s wisdom?
The Solution
• Learn to identify a fool by his anger and by his attitude towards sin.
• If you act like a fool in any of these ways, admit it and ask God to help you change.
• Avoid being around fools. If any of your friends act like fools, you need to change friends.
• If you will stand up for God against the ways of fools, they will not want to be around you.
Be brave for God!
God’s Closing Advice
• (Proverbs 22:24) “Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou
shalt not go:”
• (Ecclesiastes 7:9) “Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of
fools.”
• (Psalms 38:18) “For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.”
• (Proverbs 14:34) “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.”