How are we doing for 2018?

# of New Believers

-----------------------------------------------

# of Baptisms

Did you know that you can WATCH VIDEOS of previous sermons on YouTube?  Check out the Open Door's YouTube channel:

 You can also watch the most recent sermons right here on our website.

Simply visit our Sermon Videos page.

2018-06-17

Five Kinds of Fools:

Helping Your Children Choose Friends Wisely

Part 2

Listen Here

(Proverbs 13:20, NKJV)

“He who walks with wise men will be wise,

But the companion of fools will be destroyed.”

I.  Introduction

     Last Sunday—because I knew today would be Father’s Day—I started a two-part sermon about the “Five Kinds of Fools.” I explained that in this two-part sermon we would examine a category of people that parents must identify and declare “off-limits” when it comes to their children choosing friends!  The Bible calls these people “fools” and warns that if your children develop unhealthy relationships with fools they will be destroyed.  King Solomon wrote, “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed” (Proverbs 13:20, NKJV).

     In the Proverbs God identifies five types of fools.  By looking at the way the Scriptures describe each type of fool, we can help our children avoid the destruction that results from companionship with fools!  Last Sunday we looked at the first two types of fools:  The Simple Fool and The Reactionary Fool.  Today we will consider three additional types of fools:  The Unreasonable Fool, The Scorning Fool, and The Committed Fool.

II.  The Unreasonable Fool

     The Unreasonable Fool is identified in Proverbs by a Hebrew word which means to be “slow and stubborn.” The implication is that the Unreasonable Fool is slow to understand instruction, and therefore stubbornly makes wrong choices.

     The Unreasonable Fool is characterized by deceit and slander.  While appearing to be a friend, the Unreasonable Fool vents his hatred and destroys others through slander.  Solomon described the Unreasonable Fool with these words: “Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool” (Proverbs 10:18, NKJV).

     Because the Unreasonable Fool is so deceitful, he is a serious threat to your children when allowed to enter their circle of friends.  He has been deceived by Satan and seeks to deceive others.  Solomon wrote, “The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way,
but the folly of fools is deceit” (Proverbs 14:8, NKJV).

     The Unreasonable Fool can’t get his mouth under control.  He is the kind of person who boasts about “speaking his mind!”  Solomon wrote, “A fool vents all his feelings,
but a wise man holds them back” (Proverbs 29:11, NKJV).  As a result of his inability to control his mouth, Solomon warns the Unreasonable Fool, “A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.” (Proverbs 18:7, NKJV).

     The Unreasonable Fool cannot control his spending!  His spending habits are as uncontrolled as his speaking.  Solomon said of the Unreasonable Fool, “The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get” (Proverbs 21:20, NLT).

     It does not good to offer advice to the Unreasonable Fool.  Wise advice regarding the speaking and spending of an Unreasonable Fool will be rejected.  King Solomon wrote, “Don’t waste your breath on fools, for they will despise the wisest advice” (Proverbs 23:9, NLT).  When wise counsel is offered to the Unreasonable Fool he will simply become argumentative.  King Solomon wrote, “Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating” (Proverbs 18:6, NLT).

     Only severe punishment will rescue the Reactionary Fool from his foolishness.  Solomon wrote, “A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the fool’s back” (Proverbs 29:11, NKJV).  Only severe punishment will effectively deliver the Unreasonable Fool from his foolishness, because he hates the very thought of changing his evil ways.  Solomon said, “Fools detest turning from evil” (Proverbs 13:19b, NLT).

III.  The Scorning Fool

     The Hebrew word used to describe the Scorning Fool literally means “to speak with the face.”  The Scorning Fool uses facial expressions to communicate his contempt and disdain for the wisdom of God.  The Scorning Fool mimics Godly people in order to dishonor and mock them for their righteous standards.  The Scorning Fool initiates arguments and insults.  As a result, King Solomon wrote, “Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too. Quarrels and insults will disappear” (Proverbs 22:10, NLT).  A wise father will not permit the Scorning Fool to remain within his child’s circle of friends!  Solomon said, “Throw out the mocker.”

     The Scorning Fool loves to ridicule those whose righteous standards he doesn’t understand.  Solomon explained, “Scorners delight in their scorning” (Proverbs 1:22b, NKJV).  Because he delights in his scorning, he will become skilled at it.  He will develop techniques of sarcasm that are clever and cutting.

     Words of instruction are not effective in dealing with the Scorning Fool.  Solomon wrote, “A scoffer does not listen to rebuke [verbal correction]” (Proverbs 13:1b, NKJV).

In fact, Solomon warned against offering verbal instruction to the Scorning Fool.  He wrote, “He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself…Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you” (Proverbs 9:7a…8a, NKJV).

     The only instruction Scripture gives regarding the Scorning Fool is that he be punished.  The punishment will not benefit the Scorning Fool, but it will benefit Simple Fools who become aware of it.  Solomon wrote, “If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded will learn a lesson” (Proverbs 19:25, NLT).

     In order for the Scorning Fool to be rescued from his foolishness, God Himself must intervene!  Solomon wrote, “Surely He [God] scorns the scornful” (Proverbs 3:34a, NKJV).  Ironically, God uses the same method the Scorning Fool uses on others.  The only thing we can do for the Scorning Fool is to ask God to intervene in his life…and He will!

IV. The Committed Fool

     The Hebrew word for the Committed Fool is “Nabal.”  This word literally means “stupid and wicked.”  The term refers to one who is morally wicked.  Abigail in the Old Testament was married to a Committed Fool whose name was “Nabal.”  She gave this testimony to soon-to-be-king David regarding the character of her husband:  “Please pay no attention, my lord, to that wicked man Nabal. He is just like his name—his name means Fool, and folly goes with him” (I Samuel 25:25a, NIV).  The Committed Fool so completely gives himself over to the influence of Satan that nothing he says should be taken seriously.

     Nabal was so influenced by Satan that he couldn’t even carry on a rational conversation.  His servants said about him, “He is such a wicked man that no one can talk to him” (I Samuel 25:17b, NIV).

     The reason the Committed Fool is so thoroughly influenced by Satan is that he rejects any belief in the existence of God.  He is a true atheist!  Solomon wrote, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” (Psalm 14:1a, NKJV).  The behavior of the Committed Fool will become so disgusting that he will be a source of continual grief to his father.  Solomon wrote, “The father of a fool has no joy” (Proverbs 17:21b, NKJV).  This kind of fool certainly cannot be tolerated in your child’s circle of friends!

V.  Conclusion

     Every child begins life as a Simple Fool who needs instruction and discipline.  That’s why Solomon wrote, “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of correction will drive it far from him” (Proverbs 22:15, NKJV).  However, the proper use of discipline, along with wise instruction, will deliver our children from foolishness!  That should be the goal of every father.   

     Parents, if you want to protect your sons and daughters from destruction, you must take whatever measures are necessary to eliminate fools—of any kind—from their circle of friends.  That’s why Solomon warned, “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed” (Proverbs 13:20, NKJV).

Next Steps:

• Believe in Jesus to receive the gift of eternal life.  He said, “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16, NIV).

• Ask God to teach you to help your children choose their friends wisely.  After all, King Solomon warned, “The companion of fools will be destroyed” (Proverbs 13:20b, NKJV).



Bring a friend to church next week!

Please join us!!

 Sunday service starts at 10am

1/2 mile south of Holcomb on Hwy 25.

Look for the BIG HOUSE