1. The Building of Character does not come by Chance
Matthew 7:24-27

2. Much of your Character formed in the Home & in Choices of Youth
Proverbs 15:5 “a fool despises his father’s instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent.”

3. FOOL
“Signifies without reason… want of mental sanity & sobriety, a reckless & inconsiderate habit of mind… lack of common sense perception of the reality of things natural & spiritual… the imprudent ordering of one’s life in regard to salvation.” W.E. Vine

4. Jesus Warned about Casual Use of this Word
Matthew 5:22 NKJV 22 "But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire.”

5. Much Character determined by whom you choose as close associates
Good friend – Proverbs 27:6,9,17
Destroy you- Proverbs 13:19,20
Real temptation to make a Fool your Friend

6. How does a Fool Make Decisions?
Focus on Short-term Pleasure- Ecclesiastes 7:4-6
Boast about Sin – Proverbs 10:23
Pleasure in Deceiving others- boast about “conquests”

7. How does a Fool Make Decisions?
Has no interest in understanding but in experiencing pleasure – Proverbs 17:16
Without wisdom, tragic life- Ecclesiastes 2:14; Proverbs 1:7

8. How does a Fool Influence Others?
Has Overconfidence that causes them to follow – Proverbs 12:15
Will maintain his way is RIGHT! – Proverbs 14:16
Has perception of others that allows him to manipulate them – Psalm 12:2-4; Proverbs 29:5

9. How does a Fool Influence Others?
Will use us like a tissue & then throw them away – 2 Corinthians 11:19,20; Proverbs 23:9
Will use his temper to get his way- Proverbs 17:12; Proverbs 10:18

10. How Can You Identify a Fool?
How does he speak? Ecclesiastes 10:13,14; 5:3
Has one bad experience after another because of his words- Proverbs 18:7; Ecclesiastes 10:12
Will tell you who he is if you let him- Ecclesiastes 10:3; Proverbs 17:28
Quick to Lie – Proverbs 17:7

11. How Can You Identify a Fool?
How does he speak of Others?
How they talk about their parents- Proverbs 15:5
Will not control tongues as parents- Proverbs 14:1
How does he speak about God? - Psalm 14:1
Wants man-centered worship- Psalm 92:5,6

12. How Can You Identify a Fool?
Talks about his “spirituality” and how he knows what God wants- Ecclesiastes 5:1
Interest in God only a means of drawing attention to self
A fool will not last long
Great concern – Who will he take with him?
Does he listen, learn & change? Proverbs 27:22

13. You Need Wisdom in how you handle a Fool
Do not write his behavior off as harmless.
Be careful how you speak to them- Proverbs 26:4,5
What will be the end of a fool?
A fool will fall hard – Proverbs 10:8,10
Best job for fool is a slave- Proverbs 11:29
Has no honor – Proverbs 26:1

14. You Need Wisdom in how you handle a Fool
What will be the end of a fool?
A fool will fall hard – Proverbs 10:8,10
Best job for fool is a slave- Proverbs 11:29
Has no honor – Proverbs 26:1
Will experience beatings & turmoil- Proverbs 26:3
God will reward in Judgment- Proverbs 26:10

15. You Need Wisdom in how you handle a Fool
Stay Away from those who prove to be fools! Proverbs 23:9
Fools are not friends! Proverbs 13:19,20
Parents of fools will lament – Proverbs 17:21,25
Replace Immaturity with Wisdom – Proverbs 19:1; Ephesians 5:15