The Ignorant Fool

April 30

Joshua 22-23

Psalm 52

Proverbs 12:15-16

Luke 19:1-27

The Ignorant Fool

“The way of an ignorant fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel.  An ignorant fool’s anger is known at once, but a prudent man conceals disgrace.”  Proverbs 12:15-16  LSB

Today’s passage in Proverbs clearly contrasts the wise person and the fool.  Solomon makes this comparison throughout Proverbs outlining many characteristics that differentiate between someone who is wise and someone who is a fool.  “The way of the ignorant fool is right in his own eyes.”  The fool almost always thinks he is right.  He has an inflated opinion of his own plans and ideas and refuses to believe that his way is not the best path.  “But a wise man is he who listens to counsel.”  The wise person on the other hand recognizes that there is value in different perspectives.  He will seek out the counsel of others to help him understand his situation fully.  The fool does not think clearly and objectively but is led by selfishness and pride.   This principle is true universally.  Believers and nonbelievers should heed this advice in business, politics, relationships, finances, and every other aspect of life.  It is always a good idea to seek the counsel of those who have experience in the area where we need to make decisions.  If you need parenting advice, ask a parent you respect; if you need financial advice, ask someone who manages their money well; if you need marital advice, talk to  someone who has a successful marriage.  Make sure you are seeking advice from people who will tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear.  Don’t surround yourself with yes-men, but with people who will give you godly, Biblically based advice and who love you enough to tell you the truth.  This advice is repeated several times in Proverbs (1:5, 1:7, 11:14, 15:22, 19:20, 24:6) 

            “An ignorant fool’s anger is known at once.”  The fool has no self-control and they react immediately without thinking about the consequences.  He is impulsive and cannot control his anger.  As a result, he ends up looking like the fool that he is.  He is a hot-head and often gets himself in trouble because he acts before finding out the whole situation.  “But a prudent man conceals disgrace.”  By contrast, the wise man waits until he calms down to react to a situation.  He is able to carefully consider his response and then act thoughtfully and with discretion.  The wise person is also able to overlook an offense and react with mercy and love instead of making the situation worse by blowing up.  They are able to control their emotions and they pick their battles carefully.  They recognize that not everything is a hill worth dying on.  Sometimes it really is better just to keep your composure and move on, saving your energy for more important matters.  (James 1:19-20, Psalm 37:8, Proverbs 14:29, 15:1, 29:22,  Ecclesiastes 7:9)