“DON’T ENROLL IN FOOL SCHOOL!” PROVERBS 1:22

***The words “fool,” “fools,” and “foolish” are found in Proverbs over 70 times.

Three different Hebrew words are translated “fool” in Proverbs Three different Hebrew words are translated “fool” in Proverbs. Their meaning: One who is foolish and inclined to make wrong choices; One who is morally and spiritually deficient; One who is senseless and disgraceful, insensitive and apathetic.

I. CAUSES OF FOOLISH LIVING

A. The company you keep

Proverbs warns us to avoid… Companionship with fools Proverbs 13:20, “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.”

Proverbs 1:10-, “My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them Proverbs 1:10-, “My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them. If they say, ‘Come along with us…let’s waylay some harmless soul…We will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder; throw in your lot with us, and we will share a common purse,’—my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths…These men lie in wait for their own blood; they waylay only themselves! Such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the lives of those who get it.”

Proverbs warns us to avoid… 2. Conversation with fools Proverbs 26:4, “Do not answer a fool according to his folly; or you will be like him yourself.”

Proverbs warns us to avoid… 3. Commendation of fools Proverbs 26:8, “Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honor to a fool.”

B. The entertainment you seek Proverbs 15:21, “Folly delights a person who lacks judgment; but a man of understanding keeps a straight course.”

Proverbs 15:14, “…The mouth of a fool feeds on folly.”

II. CHARACTERISTICS OF FOOLISH LIVING

A. Thinking foolish thoughts

CONCEIT Proverbs 12:15, “The way of a fool seems right to him; but a wise man listens to advice.”

2. CLOSED-MINDEDNESS Proverbs 1:7, “…Fools despise wisdom and discipline.”

3. COMPLACENCY Proverbs 1:32, “…The complacency of fools will destroy them.”

4. CONTEMPTUOUSNESS Proverbs 14:9, “Fools mock at making amends for sin…” Proverbs 19:3, “A man’s own folly ruins his life, yet his heart rages against the Lord.”

B. Speaking foolish words

One’s foolishness is exposed in the uselessness of his words. Proverbs 10:8, “A babbling fool comes to ruin.” Proverbs 20:3, “…Every fool is quick to quarrel.”

2. One’s foolishness is exposed in the senselessness of his words 2. One’s foolishness is exposed in the senselessness of his words. Proverbs 12:23, “A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself; but the heart of a fool blurts out foolishness.”

3. One’s foolishness is exposed in the wickedness of his words 3. One’s foolishness is exposed in the wickedness of his words. Proverbs 14:3, “A fool’s talk brings a rod to his back…” Proverbs 14:9, “Fools mock at sin…”

4. One’s foolishness is exposed in the carelessness of his words 4. One’s foolishness is exposed in the carelessness of his words. Proverbs 18:13, “He who answers before listening, that is his folly and his shame.”

5. One’s foolishness is exposed in the maliciousness of his words 5. One’s foolishness is exposed in the maliciousness of his words. Proverbs 10:18, “…Whoever spreads slander is a fool.”

C. Doing foolish deeds

4 kinds of actions that Proverbs shows to be indicative of a fool: Losing one’s cool. Proverbs 29:11, “A fool gives full vent to his anger.” Proverbs 19:29, “A quick-tempered man displays folly.”

4 kinds of actions that Proverbs shows to be indicative of a fool: Losing one’s cool Sinning for sport Proverbs 10:23, “A fool finds pleasure in evil conduct.”

4 kinds of actions that Proverbs shows to be indicative of a fool: Losing one’s cool Sinning for sport Squandering one’s resources Proverbs 21:20, “In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.”

4 kinds of actions that Proverbs shows to be indicative of a fool: Losing one’s cool Sinning for sport Squandering one’s resources Wasting one’s time Proverbs 10:5, “He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.”

Proverbs 26:11, “As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.” Proverbs 15:21, “Folly delights a man who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding keeps a straight course.”

III. THE CONSEQUENCES OF FOOLISH LIVING

A. Devastation of the family

Proverbs 10:1, “A wise son brings joy to his father; but a foolish son grief to his mother.” Proverbs 17:21, “To have a fool for a son brings grief; there is no joy for the father of a fool.” Proverbs 17:25, “A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the one who bore him.”

B. Disgrace Proverbs 3:35, “The wise inherit honor, but fools he holds up to shame.”

C. Devotion to evil Proverbs 13:19, “Fools detest turning from evil.”

D. Destruction of oneself Proverbs 14:12 and 16:25, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”

IV. THE CURE FOR FOOLISH LIVING

Welcome words of wisdom. Proverbs 2:1ff, “My son, if you accept my words, and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding…then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.”

B. Forsake foolish friendships B. Forsake foolish friendships. Proverbs 12:26, “A righteous man is cautious in friendship…”

C. Receive redemptive rebuke C. Receive redemptive rebuke. Proverbs 1:22-23, “How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thought to you; I will make known to you my teachings.”

Proverbs 3:11-12, “My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline and do not resent His rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those He loves as a father the son he delights in…”

D. Commit to the control of Christ D. Commit to the control of Christ. Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge…” Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom…”