“Playing the Fool” Ephesians 5:15-17 There is a huge difference between committing a sin and living a life of sin, 1John 1:8-10 > 3:9. So too with being foolish. At times, we all may act somewhat foolishly. But to be a “fool” in life is another matter entirely!

Playing the Fool Generally speaking, a “fool” is “one who speaks or acts contrary to reason.” To greater or lesser degrees, we’ve all “been there- done that!”. At times, we either don’t use our heads, or act contrary to them despite “knowing better.”

Playing the Fool There are at least four types: 1.The Atheistic Fool, Psalm 14:1-6. To say, “There is no God” is surely to “speak contrary to reason.” Psalm 19:1-6, The heavens “tell of the glory of God…” Rom.1:18-20, Evidence of God’s power and nature can be “clearly seen….through what has been made” cf.Psalm 139:14

Playing the Fool There are at least four types: 2. The Rebellious Fool, Proverbs 1:7. To “despise wisdom and instruction” from the Creator of the Universe is surely “acting contrary to reason!” To “rebel” is admit to “knowing better” and act contrary to that knowledge, 1Tim.1:8-11; Titus 1:10; 2Pet.2: Perhaps these are responsible for the Jewish proverb: “Don’t approach a goat from the front, a horse from the back, or a fool from any side!”

Playing the Fool There are at least four types: 3. The Careless Fool, Ephesian 5: To either be careless enough to not pay attention, or to be so apathetic as to do the same, is to “act contrary to reason!” How many accidents and tragedies in or of life are caused because we just simply weren’t paying attention, or “tending” our business? Such also leads to “uselessness”. John Adams said: “I have come to the conclusion that one useless man is called a disgrace, two useless men are called a law firm, and three or more become a congress.” Careless fools indeed!

Playing the Fool There are at least four types: 4. The Materialistic Fool, Luke 12: To treasure the temporal things of this life is to surely “act contrary to reason.” What causes such? In Luke 12:13-15, Jesus indicates “greed” is the culprit. How foolish! Nothing of this life lasts but the soul, Matt.6: C.S. Lewis was fond of saying, “Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you will get neither.”

Playing the Fool Conclusions: A “little foolishness” from time to time can be good medicine- provided of course that no sin is involved, Prov.17:22; 15: Such keeps us from being too serious about things that really don’t matter, and is good for the heart. All work and no play is not only “dull,” it’s dangerous also, Eccl.11:8-10. But a “life of foolishness” of any type is a sure path to ruin and destruction- both here and hereafter, Eccl.12:13-14.