In my quest to live out my aspiration no matter how little I can, there was the need of finding some basic difference between some things.
The difference between "A Fool" and "The Wise" sounds like something worth knowing and I didn't want to just know it from just some random source but from the Bible itself. Hence my quest to search out some basic Biblical Difference Between a Fool and the wise.
AS STUBBORN AS A GOAT, AS HUMBLE AS A SHEEP.
This statement "As stubborn as a Goat" and "As humble as a Sheep" has been around for as long as I can remember.
One thing I know for sure is that "Stubborn" is just another word for "Foolishness". And because of what I know, It breaks my heart when I hear people take pride in saying "I know I'm stubborn", "I am stubborn" or "I've always been known to be stubborn".
What you are indirectly saying is that, you are foolish and that you've always been known to be foolish or to act foolishly. It is sad to have a whole human being take pride in foolishness by themselves.
THE SHEEP AND THE GOAT.
Have we seen anyone goat herder that does not toe ropes around the goat's neck or legs? I wouldn't know if you've seen it.
And have we seen anyone herding sheep that must tie a rope around their necks or legs?
THE GOAT.
The goat is always rebellious. Even with the rope tied around its neck, it would still naturally want to go towards a different direction from where you are taking it.
THE SHEEP
The Sheep on the other hand is humble. You don't necessarily have to tie a rope to a sheep to have it follow you. God's firstborn child was even likened to a sheep, a lamb.
It's all these thoughts above that propelled me to write down a clear picture from the Biblical point of view, the difference between what it says a fool is and the wise is.
Here is now what I gathered as some Biblical differences between a Fool and the Wise that can guide and inform our thought paradigm.
NUMBER 1.
Prov 12:15
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
KJV.
Everyone thinks that his or her own opinion is the best but there is still an attitude to wear when we come face-to-face with opinions that differs from ours. And that attitude should be "Being Open-Minded".
Being Open-Minded and taking your time to hear the other opinions out without being biased, sentimental and judgemental.
Sadly and more often than not, the fool always remains headstrong. I pray I'm never that way because sometimes you can be that way in most cases without realizing it.
NUMBER 2.
Prov 17:28
Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
KJV.
TALKING TOO MUCH AND TALKING SO MUCH.
I've always said, there is a difference between talking too much and taking so much.
TALKING TOO MUCH
When you talk too much, you talk a lot and mostly irrelevant things as patterning the present situation or circumstances.
TALKING SO MUCH
When you talk so much, you may talk a lot but you talk about relevant things that pattern to the situation on the ground or the present circumstances.
The above verse of scripture implies more on knowing when to act or talk if you must act or talk and when to hold back. The verse in itself is as clear as it can be.
NUMBER 3.
Prov 18:2
A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
KJV.
There is one thing to understand and there is another thing to want to understand. The fool they say, hardly even wants to understand. He doesn't even have the interest to understand but only continuing in its path. I pray I'm never like this.
NUMBER 4.
Prov 23:9
Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.
KJV.
You cannot even talk in secret to a fool, whatever you said to them will later be heard by almost everyone. How terrible a fool can be.
NUMBER 5.
Prov 26:8
As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
KJV.
Destruction awaits people who saddle a fool with authority or a position of authority. The same thing happens when you praise a fool.
NUMBER 6.
Prov 28:26
He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
KJV.
This verse is trying to say that the heart can be overly misleading most times. This reminds me of people who say "I'm following my heart" especially when it has to do with things about relationships.
I think that we should be trusting more In fate and faith. Having the right attitude while trusting in the right way can make a difference.
NUMBER 7.
Prov 29:11
A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
KJV.
People who say "I have to say my mind," "I must say my mind," "I have said my mind," or "I have said my own." This verse of scripture is referring to you as a fool.
The wise person holds his tongue till afterwards. This means that, even when what you are eager to say is right, there is a right time to say it. Let's not be in a hurry to say the right things we have to say and end up saying them at there wrong times.
NUMBER 8.
Prov 29:20
Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
KJV.
That a fool is better than a person who does not know when to say what to say. This means that there's an attitude that can be worse than the attitude of a fool and that is, being hasty or quick in words. Saying things abruptly or haphazardly. Everyone needs help in this matter, I need help too. I refuse to be a fool.
NUMBER 9.
Eccl 7:6
For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.
KJV.
As they say, "Empty vessel makes the most noise", a fool can be known by how loud their laughter is.
Most times, a fool laughs the loudest, without thought and uncontrollably.
NUMBER 10.
Ps 14:1
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.
KJV.
When we look around us, everything on the earth and the universe would depict the handy work of a supreme being, God. If the things that our eyes can see can not convince us that there's God, I wonder what can. Will it then be things that we cannot see that would?
Let's not be fooled, and say in our hearts that there's no God. The very love we express to people is evidence that there's God. Without God, there would not be Love, for God is Love.
THE PRICE
There's a price we pay for anything we are. There's a price we pay for being foolish and a price we pay for being wise. It is good to know what side we fall on so we don't blame everyone else but ourselves.
The Bible says in Proverbs 22:29, Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men. KJV.
Foolishness can primarily mean ignoring knowledge. When you often ignore knowledge, you must, likely lack knowledge and, wisdom will be far from you to attain.
Wisdom on the other hand can be primarily likened to being the seniour brother to knowledge. And knowledge, likened to be the senoiur brother to knowing.
knowledge is knowing. And you are considered wise when you apply what you know, rightly.
If you want to be considered wise, first, you have to be intentional about deliberately and consistently giving yourself to knowledge. Don't let an opportunity for knowledge pass you by. Don't ignore any opportunity for you to add to what you already know. And later, you can work on how to apply what you know the right way.
I pray we don't fall into the category of fools.
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