Scripture Reading: Psalm 14
What the Fool Says
Intro.
1. Pride of life is a powerful temptation (since we all want to believe we are wise), 1 Jno. 2:16. Self-deception is a real danger, 1 Cor. 3:18.
2. Scripture defines a sharp contrast between wisdom and foolishness, Prov. 3:35.
3. The mouth of the fool pours out foolishness and feeds on it, Prov. 15:2, 14 (cf. dog to its vomit).
4. “The heart of fools proclaims foolishness”, Prov. 12:23; 14:33.
I. THE FOOL SAYS THERE IS NO GOD, Psa. 14:1. Why?
A. The Fool Prefers to Live in Sin.
1. He ignores God and practices sin, Psa. 10:3-4; Rom. 1:18-22, 28; Eph. 4:17-19.
2. God is watching, and the fool hates that! Prov. 15:3
3. The fool refuses God's rule over him by refusing His presence and power, cf. Exo. 5:2.
B. The Fool Despises God's Wisdom and Authority, Prov. 1:7.
1. Fool says there is no binding standard of right and wrong (no sin), Jgs. 21:25; Prov. 14:16.
2. Does not want to be held accountable, Jno. 12:48; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rom. 14:12.
II. THE FOOL SAYS THE GOSPEL IS FOOLISH, 1 Cor. 1:18-25.
A. The Fool Says there is No (Definite) Truth, Jno. 18:37 (14:6).
B. The Fool Argues with the Gospel, cf. Eccl. 5:1 (Rom. 1:16-17):
1. How to be saved, Acts 2:37-38, 41.
2. One church, Matt. 16:18; Acts 2:47; Eph. 1:22-23; 4:4; 5:23; 3:21.
3. True worship, Jno. 4:23-24.
4. The need to live by God's word, Matt. 4:4; 7:24-27; Col. 3:17.
III. THE FOOL SAYS LIFE IS A PARTY, Eccl. 7:4. (Mirth: gaiety, pleasure)
A. Therefore, the Fool Says "Trust Yourself", Prov. 12:15; Isa. 22:13; Lk. 15:13.
1. Ignoring God and sin, the fool is driven by self-satisfaction.
2. "To thine own self be true." (Polonius to Hamlet, Shakespeare)
"In fact, the phrase appeals to our complacency, not to our resilience. Its function is to swell our laziness, not to stoke our resolve. It's use is to excuse our disagreements with society, not to force us to reconcile them with fact. We are all victims, suffering in vain, alone in our wisdom..." (To Thine Own Self Be True." Really?, Nicholas Clairmont)
3. "I just really need to focus on me right now".
a. No, you need to focus of Jesus, Heb. 12:1-2.
b. Deny yourself and follow Jesus, Lk. 9:23; Gal. 2:20.
4. Present-day examples:
a. LGBT: Self-defined indulgences.
b. Worldliness: 1 Jno. 2:15-17 is doing will of self, not God.
1) Immodest clothing: Draws attention to self, away from God.
2) Social dancing: Losing of moral restraints.
c. Entertainment, music, etc.: Amused by sin, cf. Rom.1:32.
d. Self-expression (body art/disfiguring...): Image of the world, not of Christ, Col. 3:9-10; Gal. 2:20.
B. The Fool Lives for the Earth, not for Heaven, 1 Cor. 15:32.
1. There is no eternal point of view, Phil. 3:12-14; 2 Cor. 4:18.
2. Do not be deceived, 1 Cor. 15:33.
Conclusion
1. “A fool has no delight in understanding, but in expressing his own heart.” Prov. 18:2
2. “There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.” Prov. 19:21
3. Be wise, not foolish: “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Eph. 5:15-17 (ESV)
By: Joe R. Price
Posted: October 20, 2015