Don't Be Conned

Today's Verse:

As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.  ~Proverbs 26:1

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A con man is a cheater who is deceitful and fraudulent. He takes advantage of other people for his personal gain. Proverbs 26 speaks to us about three types of con men. There is the conceited man who is proud and full of himself. There is the contemptuous man who despises God, goodness, and righteousness. There is the contentious man who is a troublemaker. Each of these men has a common characteristic. They are called "fools" in the Bible. The term "fool" or "foolish" is a very strong description of someone who does not listen and disregards what is right. 

We see the identity of a fool.

Proverbs gives us a commentary on the foolish man. A foolish person has contempt for what is right. Psalm 14:1 teaches us a fool says in his heart there is no God. Fools make a mock at sin (Proverbs 13:19, 14:9). Fools despise wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:7, 22). Fools are talkers and do damage with their mouths (Proverbs 10:8, 18:6-7). Fools are self-righteous (Proverbs 12:15). Fools have unresolved anger and wrath problems (Proverbs 12:16, 14:16-17). Fools are deceitful (Proverbs 10:18). Fools think they will live forever (Luke 12:20). Fools rarely change and always go back to their same ways. “As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly” (Proverbs 26:11).

We see the intention of a fool.

Fools try to influence other people in the wrong way. Fools will steal your joy and contentment in Christ. Fools try to portray themselves as role models for those who are naïve. Fools prey on those who are unsuspecting. Fools make light of sin and God’s Word, and they mislead weak Christians into following them. A fool’s words inflict damage (Proverbs 26:9). Fools like to boast of their knowledge and self-awareness. Fools never give glory to God. “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools” (Romans 1:22). Fools are divisive. Fools speak out of the abundance of their heart, which is not good. Nabal was called a foolish man for speaking contemptuously of David. The rich man in Luke 12 accumulated great riches and thought to indulge himself forever, but God called him a fool. A fool presumptuously thinks that he has an unending life and has no time for God.

We see the insulation from a fool.

God gives us straightforward advice on how to deal with foolish people. Never acknowledge or give honor to a fool (Proverbs 26:1, 8). Don’t deal with fools at their level (Proverbs 26:4-5). Don’t trust a fool with an important message or task (Proverbs 26:6). Don’t be enticed by the words of a fool (Proverbs 26:9). “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed” (Proverbs 13:20). Avoid fellowship with foolish men at all costs. A foolish person hides his true feelings, and in his heart there are seven abominations (Proverbs 26:24-26). Be careful that you do not fall into a pit that a fool has dug. He eventually will fall into his own pit.

Don’t be conned! God’s Word is a safeguard for us. Many people get into trouble because they trust in the wrong person, get bad counsel, and are in bad company that taint them. Be a wise Christian by obeying the Lord and following good men.

Have a prudent God Morning!

Reading Schedule: 1 Samuel 21-24

#Proverbs #Fool #Foolishness