Bible Reading: Joshua 10; Psalm 142 & 143; Jeremiah 4; Matthew 18
For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge. (Jeremiah 4:22)
Here in Jeremiah, God gives us a definition of foolishness. First, it is to not know God. Some are fools who deny even the existence of God:
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. (Psalms 14:1)
The fool can also be right in the middle of God's people. Jeremiah was speaking of Israel because God called them, "his people". His people have not known God! You say, how can you be in the midst of the people of God and not know him? It happens all the time! Jesus warned us that there would be many in this category.
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:21-23)
God calls the fool a 'sottish' child. Sottish is a word that means silly, dull, stupid or senseless. The fool does not understand God or his ways. He goes through life without a Biblical understanding. This makes sense because Jesus is true wisdom:
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (1 Corinthians 1:30)
The foolish person is wise in one area – he is wise to do evil. He knows how to do that which God abhors. He studies it and grows proficient at it. But to do good he has no knowledge. The foolish man is the natural man.
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14)
It is the fool who is wise to do evil but thinks the things of God are foolishness. The fool does not understand God but he is worldly wise. Take a long, hard look at your life. Do you understand the things of God? Do you love Jesus? Do you love reading his word? Do you love his bride, the church? Do you desire to see people saved like he does? These things are good fruit that the Holy Spirit brings out of the wise person.
In Christ,
Rody
