The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1953-07-02

A Wise Man Or. A Fool?


ton of fools" proverbs $3.50.
Puffed up with our own
knowledge, we are prone to
judge our fellowmen as being
wise or as being fools. We set
up our own standards, assuming
that we are all-knowing and in
finite, thus being qualified to
pass judgment. But when we
compare our standard with Gods
standard, when we compare our
judgment with Gods judgment
of men, we see that the two do
not agree.
By experience we soon learn
that we are not (even the most
educated of us) all-knoWing nor
all-powerful. Only He who
created the universe and up
holds it "by the word of His
power" is infinite in knowledge
and ability. His standard alone
is the true one. We are warned
not to judge a man as a fool -
whatsoever shall say, Thou
fool, shall be in danger of hell
fire" (Matthew 5:22). Also, who
are we to say, in the full sense
of the word, who is wise man?
Because space is limited, we
will briefly go thru the Word of
God and see whom God regards
as being a fool or as being wise.
God says that fool is one
who says in his heart, There is
no God" psalm l4:D. He may
profess with his lips his belief
in God, but thinks and lives as
if God does not exist. He is self
conceited proverbs l2:15). He
is a law unto himself proverbs
l4:l6). He glories in displaying
his sensual passions, exercising
70 moral restraint prov l49;
1872; Romans 1.2l-32). He de-
lights in folly prov. 26:1D. "He
that trusteth in his own heart is
a fool" prov. 1926; Jeremiah
l7:9). He who is lazy and
sponges off others is regarded
as a fool (Ecclesiastes 45). Along
with this is the description
Uuke 12:16-20) of the man who
prospered materially and his
one thought was, Soul, thou
hast much goods laid up for
many years; take thine ease
eat, drink, and be merry"
God said, Thou fool, this
night thy soul shall be required
of thee " One who does not
respect his parents (Who are
worthy is put in this class
prov. 1920. These are only
descriptions of fool as reveal
ed by God. A little thought will
bring out the results of such at
titudes held by those referred
to as fools. Honest thought will
also cause US to confess that ii
we have any one of these char
acteristics, we have several OF
all of them.
God also gives his estimate OF
wise man. He is the one who
is taken up with Gods will
using his time and talents fol
the glory of God (Luke 12:35-
48). A wise man is one who
seeks to learn the will of God
for his life and then puts that
knowledge into practice (Mat-
thew 7:24-27; Psalm l07; Prov
l08). He expects and is prepar-
ed for the return of Jesus
Christ Matthew 25:l-l3). "A
wise man feareth (is reverenDi
and departeth from evil -
prov. l4:l6).
We see that mans idea of who
is wise and who is a fool is just
the opposite of Gods estimate
Those who are fools in Gods
sight are looked upon as wise
by those of the world; while
those regarded as wise in Gods
sight are referred to as fools by
the world. But it is better to be
a fool for God (and wise) rath-
er that a fool for the Devil (and
damned). Someone said, Il am q
fool for Christ. Whose fool are
you?
"The wise shall inherit glory
but shame shall be the promo
ton of fools" - Roy f, WIKI
ander.