Foolish Life Foolish Life StrategiesStrategies
Adapted from work by Harold BullockAdapted from work by Harold Bullock
•In Hebrew six different words are In Hebrew six different words are translated “translated “foolfool” in English. ” in English.
•Understanding the different Understanding the different “fools” gives greater insight to the “fools” gives greater insight to the Scriptures.Scriptures.
•We all dabble with or have been We all dabble with or have been mired in these foolish strategies. mired in these foolish strategies. Can you identify your struggles Can you identify your struggles and the way of escape?and the way of escape?
PethiyPethiy ““The The SimpletonSimpleton”; gullible”; gullible Unfamiliar with biblical teachings, so he Unfamiliar with biblical teachings, so he
is easily led astrayis easily led astray Loose in his grasp of how life should be Loose in his grasp of how life should be
lived, believing many alternative lived, believing many alternative approaches to lifeapproaches to life
They are easily seduced: easy prey for They are easily seduced: easy prey for false teachersfalse teachers
Pinocchio Pinocchio
Proverbs 13:16Proverbs 13:16
Every prudent man acts out of knowledge,
but a fool exposes his folly.
PethiyPethiy
Needs to:Needs to:Learn the word of GodLearn the word of God
Keseel: the Keseel: the easy wayeasy way LazyLazy + +Big DreamsBig Dreams = a need for a “magic = a need for a “magic
key”: “If only such-and-such would key”: “If only such-and-such would happen, I’d be successful”happen, I’d be successful”
Waiting for something to happen to him Waiting for something to happen to him rather than creating opportunities with rather than creating opportunities with hard workhard work
His inclinations to unreality and laziness His inclinations to unreality and laziness lead to a life littered with failureslead to a life littered with failures
Proverbs 14:16Proverbs 14:16
A wise man fears the Lord and shuns evil,
but a fool is hotheaded and reckless.
Proverbs 26:11Proverbs 26:11
As a dog returns to its vomit,
so a fool repeats his folly.
Proverbs 28:26Proverbs 28:26
He who trusts in himself is a fool,
but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe.
Ecclesiastes 4:5Ecclesiastes 4:5
The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh.
KeseelKeseel
Needs to:Needs to: Work hardWork hard Trust GodTrust God Hang in thereHang in there
Eveel: Eveel: my waymy way
““It’s It’s MYMY way or way or you’ll be sorryyou’ll be sorry”” Stubborn, loud, quarrelsome, Stubborn, loud, quarrelsome,
manipulative: willing to “make a manipulative: willing to “make a scene” to achieve goals; always scene” to achieve goals; always ready to fightready to fight
Mocks at forgivenessMocks at forgiveness
Proverbs 27:3Proverbs 27:3
Stone is heavy and sand a burden,
but provocation by a fool is heavier than both.
Proverbs 17:12Proverbs 17:12
Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs
than a fool in his folly.
EveelEveel
Needs to Needs to Let go of controlLet go of controlLet other people be adultsLet other people be adults
Cakal: the Cakal: the fun wayfun way Instant gratification: “I want it Instant gratification: “I want it NOWNOW!” !”
without thought of consequenceswithout thought of consequences Most Most stupidstupid appearing of all appearing of all Tend toward addictionsTend toward addictions May be very religious, but perceives no May be very religious, but perceives no
connection between connection between BELIEFBELIEF and and BEHAVIORBEHAVIOR
God Himself must break the cycle; this God Himself must break the cycle; this guy is too foolish to heed warnings guy is too foolish to heed warnings -- -- Ps 29:1Ps 29:1
Proverbs 29:1Proverbs 29:1
A man who remains stiff-necked after many rebukes
will suddenly be destroyed — without remedy.
CakalCakal
Needs toNeeds toPut belief and behavior Put belief and behavior
togethertogetherKnow that responsibility Know that responsibility
develops us, not pleasuredevelops us, not pleasure
Halal: Halal: Glory wayGlory way Self-exaltaion; Seeks his own Self-exaltaion; Seeks his own
advancement: attention seekeradvancement: attention seeker This one we all will struggle with This one we all will struggle with all of all of
our daysour days Capable leaders, but with an Capable leaders, but with an
underhanded edgeunderhanded edge Believes in God but doesn’t believe that Believes in God but doesn’t believe that
He does anythingHe does anything These are church splitters; “wolves”These are church splitters; “wolves”
Ecclesiastes 9:3Ecclesiastes 9:3
This is the evil in everything that happens under the sun: The same destiny overtakes all. The hearts of men, moreover, are full of evil and there is madness in their hearts while they live, and afterward they join the dead.
Prov 27:22Prov 27:22
Though you grind a fool in a mortar,
grinding him like grain with a pestle,
you will not remove his folly from him.
HalalHalal
Needs to:Needs to:Learn to serve othersLearn to serve othersBe patient for God to bring Be patient for God to bring
honorhonor
Nabal: The Nabal: The predatory waypredatory way Deliberately evilDeliberately evil May be very successful in business or in May be very successful in business or in
social circlessocial circles A consistent atheist. He acts based on A consistent atheist. He acts based on
his belief: he is freely immoral or amoral. his belief: he is freely immoral or amoral. He does not believe that he will face any He does not believe that he will face any accountability before Godaccountability before God
If there are two ways of accomplishing a If there are two ways of accomplishing a task and one is hurtful to others, he will task and one is hurtful to others, he will chose the hurtful waychose the hurtful way
Psalms 14:1Psalms 14:1
The fool says in his heart,
"There is no God."
Deut 32:21Deut 32:21
So I will make them jealous with those who are not a people;
I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation,
NabalNabal
Needs to:Needs to:Be kindBe kindHealHealDo goodDo good