In an age that seems to celebrate ignorance, we are faced with a peculiar paradox: while human intellect has never been more advanced, a pervasive foolishness has taken root in our culture. We see it in the exaltation of stupidity as entertainment, the rise of social media careers built on absurdity, and a decline in basic literacy and critical thinking. The pursuit of intellectual depth, once highly respected and associated with philosophy and books, has been supplanted by a joy in the senseless.
This cultural shift is a stark contrast to the biblical worldview, which holds wisdom in the highest regard. The book of Proverbs is a testament to this, offering practical guidance for navigating a world fraught with folly. The very definition of foolishness, as seen in Proverbs 15:21, is a lack of sense that finds joy in its own ignorance. For many, including a significant portion of the Filipino population struggling with functional illiteracy, this joy in foolishness has real-world consequences, hindering their ability to manage daily life and make informed decisions.
Tragically, this “disease” of functional illiteracy is also creeping into the Christian community, manifesting as a spiritual dysfunction. Christians may lack the ability to read and comprehend God’s Word, leading to a failure to apply biblical truth to their lives. The symptoms are clear: a cycle of sin, an aloofness from fellow believers, and an inability to articulate one’s faith simply. When people are spiritually or naturally illiterate, they often resort to emotional strategies and flawed systems, like the “padrino” system or a reliance on flimsy excuses, rather than seeking the wisdom God has provided.
God has given us His Word to equip us with wisdom and to protect us from the dangers of foolishness. As Proverbs 10:21 reminds us, “fools die for lack of understanding.” Similarly, Hosea 4:6 warns that “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Foolishness is a dangerous path, and it must be addressed. However, as our key text in Proverbs 26:4-5 reveals, confronting it is not a simple matter. “Do not answer a fool according to his foolishness, Or you will also be like him. Answer a fool as his foolishness deserves, So that he will not be wise in his own eyes.” This apparent contradiction highlights the complexity of the task.
To understand how to effectively address foolishness, we must recognize the different forms it takes.
1. A Childlike Foolishness
This is the foolishness of ignorance, a lack of common sense that is “bound up in the heart of a child” (Proverbs 22:15). All humans are born this way, and God’s antidote is parental education. Parents are divinely appointed to impart practical wisdom to their children, a theme that echoes throughout the book of Proverbs, which is largely a collection of wise sayings from a father to his son (Proverbs 1:8, 2:1-2, 3:1, 4:1-6). It is the parents’ duty to not only provide basic education but also to instill in their children the “fear of the Lord,” which is the very “beginning of knowledge” and wisdom (Proverbs 1:7, 9:10; Job 28:28). This spiritual foundation is the essential next step after the basics of life are established.
2. The Sinner’s Foolishness
This form of foolishness goes beyond mere ignorance; it is a willful disregard and rejection of God’s authority. As Psalm 14:1 states, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.'” This is a heart-level rebellion, a self-preservation that leads to a rejection of divine authority, even when a person possesses great earthly wisdom (1 Corinthians 3:19-20). The book of Romans details the tragic progression of this foolishness, where those who “claimed to be wise, they became fools” (Romans 1:22). This rejection of God leads to a darkened heart, futile reasoning, and a descent into all forms of unrighteousness and depravity.
God’s antidote to this profound foolishness is the “foolishness” of the gospel preached (1 Corinthians 1:21). To the world, the idea of salvation through the death of a man on a cross seems absurd. It doesn’t fit within the categories of human wisdom or logic. Yet, it is precisely this “foolishness” that God uses to save those who believe. The cross demonstrates that salvation is not a product of human intellect or strength, but is received through faith in the Savior who conquered sin on our behalf.
3. The Believer’s Foolishness
Even Christians can fall prey to foolishness. This occurs when believers, failing to recognize the enemy’s schemes, fall into traps and begin to behave in ways that are spiritually unwise. We see this in the Old Testament with King David, who admitted to acting “very foolishly” after taking a census (2 Samuel 24:10), and King Asa, who relied on human alliances instead of God (2 Chronicles 16:9). In the New Testament, Paul calls the Galatians “foolish” for attempting to be “perfected by the flesh” after starting their faith journey “by the Spirit” (Galatians 3:1-3). Other examples include those who chase after worldly riches, which leads to ruin (1 Timothy 6:9-10), and those who assume that faith is enough without the corresponding works (James 2:20).
Christian foolishness often arises when we become complacent, believing we already know enough. The moment we think we are wise, we become fools (1 Corinthians 3:18; Isaiah 5:21). Just as a child needs continued guidance, the believer needs the constant application of God’s Word. But how is this wisdom applied when a fellow believer is acting foolishly?
The biblical approach is not always a one-size-fits-all solution. Paul’s response to the Galatians was a direct rebuke, a harsh truth-telling that risked him being seen as an enemy (Galatians 3:1, 4:16). He took the hard road to bring them back to the truth. In contrast, with the Corinthians, Paul chose a different, more nuanced strategy. He appealed to them through a form of “foolishness”—a godly jealousy and a boastful defense of his ministry (2 Corinthians 11:1-5, 11:16-21). He was willing to be perceived as foolish in order to expose the real foolishness of those who were deceiving the church.
This demonstrates that there are times when a spiritual leader must resort to actions that may seem counterintuitive or even foolish from a worldly perspective—whether it be a fiery rebuke, a boastful defense, or an expression of righteous anger. These are not sinful acts, but rather Holy Spirit-inspired strategies to wake up a church that is becoming unaware of the enemy’s schemes.
In conclusion, foolishness is a dangerous enemy that takes many forms. The Bible provides clear and practical antidotes for each level, from the foundational education of a child to the saving grace of the Gospel for the sinner, and the sharp and sometimes uncomfortable application of truth for the Christian. We must be a people who value and seek God’s wisdom, ever vigilant against the lure of ignorance, lest we, too, become fools.
