Before the reign of King Charles IX in France, New Year’s celebrations began on March 25, concluding on April 1. In 1582, he decreed that with the adoption of the Gregorian calendar, New Year’s be moved to January 1. Those who refused to accept the change or forgot were ridiculed with foolish gifts and invitations to non-existent parties, and identified as April Fools, or called in French, “poisson d’avril” (literally translated, April fish). With the acceptance of the Gregorian calendar, the custom spread throughout Europe and into the Americas.
I do not desire to spend much time discussing April Fool’s pranks, but believe a few words are in order. There is no wrong or shame in ending up an “April fool”. Perhaps it is evidence of naivety or gullibility, but by no means sinful. The bearer of the joke however must be careful not to sin in carrying out their shenanigans (ie. lying). By no means are all pranks immoral, but let the prankster use common sense and wise judgment. May we never give occasion to defame the Lord or cause one to stumble by our frivolous antics.
Leaving April fools aside, the Scriptures have much to say about fools. Let us simply consider what God’s word says of fools:
A Fool Lacks Wisdom And Understanding
- “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none who does good.” (Psalm 14:1, also see Psalm 53:1)
- “A senseless man does not know, nor does a fool understand this.” (Psalm 92:6)
- “To do evil is like sport to a fool, but a man of understanding has wisdom.” (Proverbs 10:23)
- “Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool lays open his folly.” (Proverbs 13:16)
- “Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom, since he has no heart for it?” (Proverbs 17:16)
- “Wisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.” (Proverbs 17:24)
- “A fool has no delight in understanding, but in expressing his own heart.” (Proverbs 18:2)
- “Wisdom is too lofty for a fool; he does not open his mouth in the gate.” (Proverbs 24:7)
- “Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.” (Proverbs 26:5)
- “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely will be delivered.” (Proverbs 28:26)
- “A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, but a fool’s heart at his left. Even when a fool walks along the way, he lacks wisdom, and he shows everyone that he is a fool.” (Ecclesiastes 10:2-3)
A Fool Is Self-Destructive
- “Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks.” (Proverbs 7:22)
- “The wise in heart will receive commands, but a prating fool will fall. He who walks with integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will become known. He who winks with the eye causes trouble, but a prating fool will fall.” (Proverbs 10:8-10)
- “He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.” (Proverbs 11:29)
- “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise.” (Proverbs 12:15)
- “A wise man fears and departs from evil, but a fool rages and is self-confident.” (Proverbs 14:16)
- “A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.” (Proverbs 18:7)
- “The great God who formed everything gives the fool his hire and the transgressor his wages. As a dog returns to his own vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.” (Proverbs 26:10-11)
- “Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, yet his foolishness will not depart from him.” (Proverbs 27:22)
- “The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh.” (Ecclesiastes 4:5)
- “The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool shall swallow him up.” (Ecclesiates 10:12)
A Fool Does Not Control His Tongue
- “Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.” (Proverbs 10:18)
- “A fool’s wrath is known at once, but a prudent man covers shame.” (Proverbs 12:16)
- “In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride, but the lips of the wise will preserve them.” (Proverbs 14:3)
- “The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, but the heart of the fool does not do so.” (Proverbs 15:7)
- “Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool, much less lying lips to a prince.” (Proverbs 17:7)
- “Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; when he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.” (Proverbs 17:28)
- “A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for blows. A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.” (Proverbs 18:6-7)
- “It is honorable for a man to stop striving, since any fool can start a quarrel.” (Proverbs 20:3)
- “A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back.” (Proverbs 29:11)
- “For a dream comes through much activity, and a fool’s voice is known by his many words.” (Ecclesiastes 5:3)
- “The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool shall swallow him up; the words of his mouth begin with foolishness, and the end of his talk is raving madness. A fool also multiplies words. No man knows what is to be; who can tell him what will be after him?” (Ecclesiastes 10:12-14)
A Fool Refuses Correction
- “A fool despises his father’s instruction, but he who receives correction is prudent.” (Pr 15:5)
- “Rebuke is more effective for a wise man, than a hundred blows on a fool.” (Pr 17:10)
- “Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.” (Pr 23:9)
A Fool Brings Peril Upon Others
- “Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, rather than a fool in his folly.” (Proverbs 17:12)
- “He who begets a scoffer does so to his sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy.” (Proverbs 17:21)
- “Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes. He who sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.” (Proverbs 26:4-6)
- “If a wise man contends with a foolish man, whether the fool rages or laughs, there is no peace.” (Proverbs 29:9)
A Fool Is Repugnant Among Men
- “Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.” (Proverbs 19:1)
- “Luxury is not fitting for a fool, much less for a servant to rule over princes.” (Proverbs 19:10)
- “As snow in summer and rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool. Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, so a curse without cause shall not alight. A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the fool’s back.” (Proverbs 26:1-3)
- “Like one who binds a stone in a sling is he who gives honor to a fool.” (Proverbs 26:8)
- “Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” (Proverbs 26:12)
- “A stone is heavy and sand is weighty, but a fool’s wrath is heavier than both of them.” (Proverbs 27:3)
- “Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” (Proverbs 29:20)
Such a sorry picture the Scriptures paint of the fool. He is a loathsome wisdom-famished, tongue-wagging wretch, void of correction; detrimental to both himself and others. Let us abhor the very nature of the fool, and guard ourselves from his way and word. May we find favour in God’s sight, wise in both action and speech, loving the correction of the Lord; which is able to effect salvation for our soul, and those who are in contact with.
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