In the Bible, fools are often characterized by their disbelief in God or one who lacks wisdom which is essentially the same thing. The Bible clearly lays out the way in which God intends for us to live and those of us who ignore the wisdom of God, living contrary to what the scriptures say, will ultimately end up suffering the consequences.
Those who have no fear of God go about life believing they are in control of their own destiny. When fools ignore the counsels of God, he turns them over to the wickedness of the world with all of its vices such as drugs, alcohol, and sexual immorality. (Prov. 12:15)
However, Christians also have a tendency to play the fool. We often fall from grace and thereby suffer chastisement. At the very moment where God's ordinances are ignored is where fools go wrong. "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." (Gal.6:7) Paul has said many times in his epistles what happens when we ignore what the scriptures say.
Nevertheless, as if totally void of wisdom some of us ignore the possible consequences and experiment with drugs or alcohol regardless of all the warnings given in scripture about such things. (Prov.10:8)
Substance abuse is a fool's game and one of Satan's shrewdest devices. It begins cunningly by giving the user a feeling of euphoria or control but then comes the deception. The user ends up taking the substance, not to feel good, but to keep from feeling bad. Many of us foolishly believe the devil's lies when he tells us we can handle it after God has told us to stay away from such things. Just like he told Eve in the garden of Edan, "Yea, hath God said... Ye shall not surely die."
In order to avoid the path of fools, examine their lifestyles. Those who indulge in worldly vices don't live meaningful lives and the only time they are truly happy is when indulging in their particular vice. In time it will no longer satisfy them and consequently they move on to something even worse.
The best way to avoid falling into the same trap is to avoid those who indulge in such things. "Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing." (2Cr.6:17) God isn't telling us to withdraw from society but not to be closely associated with those who practice such things.
Paul mentioned this to the Corinthians (1Cr.5:10). He said that even though we live and work around them we are not to socialize with them or participate in their worldly affairs. To do otherwise will only invite temptation. (Matt.4:7)
Many Christians today fall into such a trap. Even Solomon with all his wisdom ended up being persuaded by some of his pagan wives. This world is presently under the influence of Satan and we should never underestimate the power of his persuasion.
The Devil doesn't have to tempt nonbelievers because they do what comes natural. "It is as sport to a fool to do mischief." (Prov. 10:23) People of the world love the synagogue of sin, ignoring the potential consequences.
When the sun goes down, adult entertainment establishments come alive and fill to capacity as they prefer the deeds of darkness rather than the light. But there are times when we find ourselves being persuaded to indulge in these worldly things, opening ourselves up to all kinds of evil.
Christians are referred to in scripture as children of the light and as we mature in Christ we find ourselves preferring the things of Light rather than the things of darkness. Darkness is the place where the children of darkness like to hide and play. Many of us go wrong and play the fool by entering a world where we don't belong.
Looking back, many of us may remember how we felt when we participated in worldly events and mingled with those who wouldn't think twice about cursing our blessed Savior. Deep down inside we knew we didn't belong there and most of us wished afterward that we hadn't gone. We belong in the light.
A good demonstration of this would be bats and moths in a dark room. Moths are gentle creatures and bats prey on them. However, turn on a light and the moths will gravitate to it while the bats flee into darkness.
"In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not." (John 1:4)
Without God, there is no fear of punishment. "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God." (Psalm 14:1) Salvation through Jesus Christ isn't taught to the children the way it once was. Consequently, many of today's youth are enticed into the world even before graduating high school.
Although Christians are not immune to such things they are less likely to occur in a true, Jesus-centered family where the children are taught salvation early on. "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." (Prov.22:6)
Typically, children in a Christian home are forbidden to associate with rebellious youths and are frequently involved in productive church or school activities; whereas, children from worldly parents are frequently left on their own, which leaves them vulnerable to predators.
However, coming from a Christian environment doesn't guarantee a life of morality no more than coming from a non-Christian environment guarantees a life of immorality. Still, a Christian environment gives a child the spiritual knowledge and insight to make better choices in life.
Role models are very important to such impressionable minds and children often mimic their parents. Unfortunately, the children of fools often imitate their parents as well. Why do so many people today make such unwise choices?
Since 1963 when God was thrown out of America's classrooms, the number of Christian homes began to decline along with moral values. There was a time, not too long ago, when most young people had a common goal which was to secure a good job, own a home, and raise a family. Children were taught to respect authority but many of those in authority today are nothing like the role models of just a few years ago. Today, there are fools in every walk of life. Immorality is everywhere from television to books, magazines and the Internet.
It was just a few decades ago that a handshake between two men to seal a deal was as binding as a legal document is today and in many Christian circles today, it still is. A foolish person will look another person in the eye and lie without a single blink. Before long, another lie has to be told to back up the first one. "Satan is a liar, and the father of it." (John 8:44)
Many families today are seriously dysfunctional. Parents are overworked trying to keep up a lifestyle they simply cannot afford while showering the children with electronic gadgets rather than parental supervision. Children who are raised in such an environment wander aimlessly through childhood learning their values from strangers.
A number of grandparents today are raising their grandchildren when they should be enjoying their golden years. What little savings or retirement they have is being given to the children. It wasn't very long ago when this was simply unheard of. Adult children were very eager to venture out and start a life of their own.
Nevertheless, not one of us has the right to point an accusing finger as we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We have all played the fool at one time or another. Oftentimes, the Lord will allow us to play the fool until we hit bottom in order to make us understand the seriousness of the paths we have taken. Our God is slow to anger, quick to forgive, and is able to change the heart of anyone who recognizes the error of his ways. "Behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly." (1Sam.26:21)
Therefore, fools go wrong when they do what Eve did- ignore the word of God and listen to the devil. We've all done this and many of us are still suffering the consequences.
Don't be a fool. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and pass from darkness into the light. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. Acknowledge him in all your ways and he will direct your paths.
Lastly, never envy a fool. There may be some who seem to be living the good life, but these are lies from the devil so don't believe it. Believe God. Acknowledge him in all your ways and he will direct your paths.