Fools, characteristics of

Scripture portrays fools as those who have rejected God and his ways and are unable or unwilling to appreciate the wisdom of knowing and obeying him.

The world regards Christians as fools

1 Corinthians 4:10 See also 1 Corinthians 1:26–31

We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored.

The world regards the gospel as foolish

1 Corinthians 1:18 See also 1 Corinthians 1:20–25

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.

Fools do not believe in God

Psalm 53:1 parallel Psalm 14:1 See also Romans 1:21

For the choirmaster. According to Mahalath. A Maskil of David. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; their ways are vile. There is no one who does good.

Fools do not trust God

Hosea 7:11 See also 2 Chronicles 16:7–9; Isaiah 19:11–13, Isaiah 30:1

So Ephraim has become like a silly, senseless dove — calling out to Egypt, then turning to Assyria.

Fools lack knowledge of God

Jeremiah 4:22 See also Jeremiah 5:4, Jeremiah 5:21; Psalm 92:6; Luke 24:25; Ephesians 5:15–17

“For My people are fools; they have not known Me. They are foolish children, without understanding. They are skilled in doing evil, but they know not how to do good.”

The behaviour of fools

Fools worship idols

Jeremiah 10:8 See also Jeremiah 10:14 parallel Jeremiah 51:17; Romans 1:22–23

But they are altogether senseless and foolish, instructed by worthless idols made of wood!

Fools act in a godless manner

Isaiah 32:6 See also Psalm 94:5–8; Proverbs 10:23; Ecclesiastes 7:25; Jeremiah 4:22

For a fool speaks foolishness; his mind plots iniquity. He practices ungodliness and speaks falsely about the LORD; he leaves the hungry empty and deprives the thirsty of drink.

Fools are dishonest

Jeremiah 17:11

Like a partridge hatching eggs it did not lay is the man who makes a fortune unjustly. In the middle of his days his riches will desert him, and in the end he will be the fool.”

Fools give vent to their anger

Proverbs 29:11 See also Ecclesiastes 7:9

A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back.

Fools are disobedient

1 Samuel 13:13 See also 2 Samuel 24:10 parallel 1 Chronicles 21:8; Psalm 107:17; Proverbs 10:8

“You have acted foolishly,” Samuel declared. “You have not kept the command that the LORD your God gave you; if you had, the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time.

Fools despise instruction and discipline

Proverbs 1:22 See also Proverbs 1:28–33, Proverbs 5:23, Proverbs 12:15; Isaiah 65:2; Jeremiah 18:12; Ezekiel 3:7

“How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? How long will scoffers delight in their scorn and fools hate knowledge?

The speech of fools

Fools speak unwisely

Proverbs 18:6–7 See also Ecclesiastes 10:12; Ephesians 5:4

A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating. A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.

Fools are slanderous

Proverbs 10:18 See also 2 Peter 2:15

The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.

Fools are mockers

Proverbs 14:9 See also Proverbs 1:22, Proverbs 14:6, Proverbs 23:9, Proverbs 24:9

Fools mock the making of amends, but goodwill is found among the upright.

Fools love quarrelling and dissension

Proverbs 20:3 See also Proverbs 19:1; 1 Timothy 1:4, 1 Timothy 6:4; 2 Timothy 2:23; Titus 3:9

It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel.

The words of fools are empty

Proverbs 15:2 See also Proverbs 14:7, Proverbs 26:7; Ecclesiastes 9:17, Ecclesiastes 10:14

The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.

Fools rely on themselves

Proverbs 12:15 See also Proverbs 14:12, Proverbs 28:26

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel.

Fools rely on words, not deeds

James 2:20 See also Ecclesiastes 5:4; Luke 11:39–40

O foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is worthless?