But there are fools, and then there are folk that are just plain stupid.”
–D.C. Adkisson (Redemption)
“As a dog returns to his own vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.”
“As a dog returns to his own vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.”
–Proverbs 26:11 (NKJV)
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I haven’t checked the news yet, don’t do that on a regular basis anymore. However, I reckon old Phil didn’t see his shadow this morning. I did see headlines that stated that humans will go extinct if we do not find five more earths, and that the mystery of Bigfoot might be solved. So exciting! (trust you caught the facetious attitude). But those headlines go to prove what I want to write about this morning. Man is a fool unless they have the knowledge of the Almighty.
Man seeks the supernatural even if it is complete foolishness. Man is looking and grasping for something. He is groping for faith when it is right in front of him. Man puts man on a plane equal to and even sometimes higher than God. Something tells him there is a supernatural world so he looks for the foolish things to aid in quenching his thirst.
“But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
–John 4:23-24 (NKJV)
There are a couple of things I want to point out. The first is that we must worship in truth. Ah, but in today’s society, what truth? Truth is relative according to the “who knows it all” of culture. Relative meaning that it changes, or that it depends upon the person. So then a person can worship however they wish, or whomever they want–if so, that man is a fool. Watch out, even Christians get caught up in this kind of worship–worshipping as they please rather than according to the truth. A second thing in these verses is that “truth” means reality. Life itself, whatever happens to a person that is real–that is truth; therefore man must worship with his life. Worship is a lifestyle and true worshipers will worship in the truth of God’s Word.
What about the others? The fools? Bob Beasley says that a “fool does not lack mental prowess, but moral character.” The great minister Henry A. Ironside said, “Fools are those who make a mock of sin, rejoice in iniquity, and refuse to heed the voice of wisdom.” Fools are honored in America. If you don’t think so just look at the entertainers that are put on a pedestal. We even use their voices to counsel the leaders in our government, as if the fool has more wisdom. “This is the true measurement of any society: the people it holds in respect.” (Beasley) American honors fools!
“Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, honor is not fitting for a fool.”
–Proverbs 26:1 (NIV)
I like the way Bob Beasley describes what honoring a fool is like. “Snow is great in winter. It brings moisture to the fields and keeps the seed sown in the fall from freezing. But snow in the summer would be out of place. It would break the leaves off the maturing plants and wreak havoc. So also, rain in harvest not only restricts the activity of the harvesters, it can ruin the crop which is so close to going into the barn. So it is with fools. They are completely out of step with reality, out of season with the wisdom of God. For this reason, they should not be honored.”
Don’t be a part of giving honor to fools! Become the true worshiper whom the Lord seeks. Hold fast to the Bible and the truths of its doctrines. Worship in reality–don’t be a fool or have part with fools. (see Romans 1:18-32; 2 Timothy 3:1-9) For as Paul writes, these people are “always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (2 Timothy 3:7, NKJV)
—————————————–
I haven’t checked the news yet, don’t do that on a regular basis anymore. However, I reckon old Phil didn’t see his shadow this morning. I did see headlines that stated that humans will go extinct if we do not find five more earths, and that the mystery of Bigfoot might be solved. So exciting! (trust you caught the facetious attitude). But those headlines go to prove what I want to write about this morning. Man is a fool unless they have the knowledge of the Almighty.
Man seeks the supernatural even if it is complete foolishness. Man is looking and grasping for something. He is groping for faith when it is right in front of him. Man puts man on a plane equal to and even sometimes higher than God. Something tells him there is a supernatural world so he looks for the foolish things to aid in quenching his thirst.
“But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
–John 4:23-24 (NKJV)
There are a couple of things I want to point out. The first is that we must worship in truth. Ah, but in today’s society, what truth? Truth is relative according to the “who knows it all” of culture. Relative meaning that it changes, or that it depends upon the person. So then a person can worship however they wish, or whomever they want–if so, that man is a fool. Watch out, even Christians get caught up in this kind of worship–worshipping as they please rather than according to the truth. A second thing in these verses is that “truth” means reality. Life itself, whatever happens to a person that is real–that is truth; therefore man must worship with his life. Worship is a lifestyle and true worshipers will worship in the truth of God’s Word.
What about the others? The fools? Bob Beasley says that a “fool does not lack mental prowess, but moral character.” The great minister Henry A. Ironside said, “Fools are those who make a mock of sin, rejoice in iniquity, and refuse to heed the voice of wisdom.” Fools are honored in America. If you don’t think so just look at the entertainers that are put on a pedestal. We even use their voices to counsel the leaders in our government, as if the fool has more wisdom. “This is the true measurement of any society: the people it holds in respect.” (Beasley) American honors fools!
“Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, honor is not fitting for a fool.”
–Proverbs 26:1 (NIV)
I like the way Bob Beasley describes what honoring a fool is like. “Snow is great in winter. It brings moisture to the fields and keeps the seed sown in the fall from freezing. But snow in the summer would be out of place. It would break the leaves off the maturing plants and wreak havoc. So also, rain in harvest not only restricts the activity of the harvesters, it can ruin the crop which is so close to going into the barn. So it is with fools. They are completely out of step with reality, out of season with the wisdom of God. For this reason, they should not be honored.”
Don’t be a part of giving honor to fools! Become the true worshiper whom the Lord seeks. Hold fast to the Bible and the truths of its doctrines. Worship in reality–don’t be a fool or have part with fools. (see Romans 1:18-32; 2 Timothy 3:1-9) For as Paul writes, these people are “always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (2 Timothy 3:7, NKJV)