Who is a fool? A Bible perspective, for a wise person.

Fear of God is the beginning of Wisdom. Here we have Proverbs 1:7 from 3 versions of the Bible. Don’t rush. Reading these a couple of times, you will get a better understanding.

The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshipping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the pre-eminent part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; But arrogant fools despise [skilful and godly] wisdom and instruction and self-discipline.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Fear of God gets birthed from acknowledging God is central in our life. He is the author of our lives. Our life depends on Him. He is our provider. His love is the greatest. He gave His begotten Son for us. The fear birthed in this is of awe, respect, reverential fear. Only with a greater understanding, can the depths of the fear be ever understood. Remember Him as the creator God of the universe of all the universe is one dimension of this.

Here is Psalms 14:1 from three versions of the Bible.

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

The fool says in his heart,
“There is no God.”
They are corrupt, their deeds are vile;
there is no one who does good.

The [spiritually ignorant] fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, they have committed repulsive and unspeakable deeds;
There is no one who does good.

So how can a person leave a foolish way of life, foolish thinking? It’s only by reading the Bible regularly. Reading for understanding. Reading for changes in the way life is lived. Reading for a change, a transformation in our lives.

Reading slowly to understand deeper rather than reading more chapters is a recommendation.

Reading after a prayer to the Holy Spirit, asking the counsellor for wisdom to understand the scriptures from the specific life situation.

Here is an interesting statement from Jesus found in Mathew 22:29

But Jesus replied to them, You are wrong because you know neither the Scriptures nor God’s power.

But Jesus replied to them, “You are all wrong because you know neither the Scriptures [which teach the resurrection] nor the power of God [for He is able to raise the dead].

Jesus answered and said to them, “You are [a]mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.

Although some of us may not always consider ourselves wise, daily reflection is always necessary. May wisdom increase in us.