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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. 1 Corinthians 1:18

The Bible has a lot to say about fools, especially in the Old Testament. Fools are described as those who ignore or scoff God and His Word. And they’re often directly contrasted with the wise. Ultimately, the fool’s thinking, words, and actions result in other-than-positive outcomes. Here are just a few warnings against foolishness from the book of Proverbs:

• The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. (1:7)
• One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless (14:16).
• If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet (29:9).
• Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly (26:11).
• A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion (18:2).

A great bottom-line verse is found in Psalm 14:1: The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good.

The fact is, we are all fools—fallen, sinful, and following our own pleasures. Only when we turn to the Lord and obey His ways can we be wise. By His mercy, we are made new (Titus 3:1-11). Not that we won’t make stupid decisions or say unwise things, because we will. But we’ll recognize our foolishness (key!), ask for forgiveness, and turn away from it.

But, as a follower of Jesus Christ, we must recognize a truth that is as pertinent today as it was in the first century: In the eyes of the world, we’re the ones who will look like fools. From our belief in the One, True, and Living God to our knowledge of salvation through the finished work of Jesus and our adherence to the inerrant truth of the Bible, we will be going against the crowd. And as the cultural “norms” continue to swing further away from God’s design for the world and people in it, the more foolish we will seem.

Have you seen it? Experienced it? Maybe you’ve been mocked for your trust in God. Perhaps you’ve lost friends because you’ve stood for Truth, and they thought you a “narrow-minded hateful person.” Or maybe you’ve even lost or left a job for your refusal to act against the Bible’s teaching.

Sister, count it all joy (James 1:2) and take heart! The broad road leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14), so let them have it. Call me a fool, but I’ll take the narrow road.

“Lord, give me strength to stay the course as the world sees me as foolish.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life