Is the fool truly a fool when he does not listen, doesn't accept the advice and guidance of some supposed wise person doling out said advice? This is the big question which I ask in annoyance and irritation of spirit.
Perhaps the fool is only labelled 'a fool' because the wise one is also acting the fool in the way and manner of upleasantly blasting his so-called wisdom, which, truth be told, is more often than not sound advice (pun intended).
So what's the problem here? The "wise" fool has forgotten some basic stuff. One, that there are TWO sides to a coin and one must find the connection between the giver and the recipient of advice. That's called "relationship".
Remember that old adage that spins something like,
"Rules and regulations without relationship equals rebellion"?
You got it. So which man is the fool?
A second basic consideration that is actually a 'biggie' and liaises in with developing relationship, is the manner in which the advice is delivered. If it is blasted, would you be inclined to accept or reject it outright?
A wise advisor would become wiser if he would develop the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Oh, but that would take too long - a life time! If the wise one would be effective, he'd start now, and allow the Lord Himself to give him wisdom and advice from above.
A list of wisdom garnering components could include, and by no means excludes others: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, FAITH, gentleness, self-control, mercy, grace, compassion, prayer, justice, truth, fear of the Lord, strength from the Lord, confidence in God, and Christ-likeness. You get the picture and can no doublt add to the list. Developing in each of these areas would smoothen the relationship, creating greater connection between 'fool' and 'wise'.
If we are fool and
think we are wise in our own
eyes, think again! Dupe!
We need to examine ourselves thoroughly without deceiving ourselves. God knows very well where we stand. If we humbly bow before Him and ask Him to reveal our fool-like behavior, He will. We will need to be willing to accept and make the necessary changes. Ask wisdom from Him as He gives it liberally and that without harsh accusations (James 1:5).
Fool-man will become more wise-man and then have greater credibility to dispense measured portions of wisdom when the supply is short. Don't you think so?
For instance, I really like the chap Apollos in Acts 18:24-28. He'd only known the baptism of John the Baptizer and preached it faithfully and with conviction. He worked within the limits of his knowledge but he was diligent and effectively proclaimed the Way of the Lord with enthusiasm.
However, he as yet, did not have the full truth. He had not heard of having faith in the finished work of Christ. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him speaking boldly but not with the complete picture of salvation, they brought him home to upgrade his spiritual education. They did not scream at him in public telling him he was deficient in his knowlege.
Guess, what?! Apollos listened! His heart was opened and willing to admit he needed the extra tutoring. He was no fool! The hospitality of Priscilla and Aquila offered, helped the receptivity and created room for relationship and therefore earned them the right to deliver and explain the way of God to him more accurately. They too, were no fools.
When Apollos grasped this more correctly, there was then no keeping him in the comforts of home. He wanted to go to Achia with this good news. I love it that
"...the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him" (Acts 18:27 NIV).
These brothers were wise in so doing. If they'd kept him back to 'control' him, we do not know what would have become of him. Instead, given his freedom and helped along the way, results were positively portentous.
"He was a great help...[an he] vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was God" (Acts 18:22-28 NIV).
This learned Apollos was willing to listen and change, or add on to, his message in the needed way. It made him more wise and able to continue his work constructively and beneficially with the power and authority of God through the Holy Spirit. He truly had a good message to tell.
By constrast was the "simple" man from Proverbs 7:6-27. He allowed himself to be lured by the sweet talk of Miss Woman Folly. His heart turned to her and he followed her home to his death, adding one more to her list of victims.
Wisdom to take home is that when we fear the Lord and shun evil we will be wise men and women of God with Christ-like character (Proverbs3:7). We will develop our own character and build relationships first before sharing our wisdom. In all likelihood, the fool can then be made more willingly wise. Pray for wisdom.
~ERC February 2022~
Based on Acts 18:24-28 NIV/GoodNews and Proverbs 7:6-27 NIV.
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