Three Degrees of A Fool

Our text for today is Matthew 5:21-22

21“You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ 22“But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. 

Some have interpreted this passage to mean that merely using the term ‘fool’ will condemn someone to hell, but a deeper understanding reveals that Jesus is cautioning against contemptuous attitudes. In fact, the Bible itself uses the term ‘fool’ in various contexts. One example is found in Psalm 14:1, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ “

Let me share what I call the “Three Degrees of A Fool.”

Degree One: Believing oneself to be wise. 

This isn’t about false humility, but the tendency for some to consider themselves wise. As Shakespeare aptly put it, “A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool.”

Degree Two: Boasting about one’s wisdom. 

Genuine wisdom is demonstrated through actions, not words. If you need to tell others about your wisdom, it may be a sign that true wisdom is lacking, as the wise let their actions speak for them.

Degree Three: Rejecting advice from others. 

Fools may not explicitly deny interest in other people’s advice, but they usually seek counsel only from those who they know will agree with them. The proverb says, “The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.”

So there they are, The fool thinks himself to be wise. The fool talks about his wisdom. The fool rejects advice.

Not only does knowing those three steps help you guard against becoming a fool, but it also helps you spot a fool so you will not be hurt by one.

Lonnie Davis