The Fool's Folly
Nourishment for the Soul
The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good. (Psalm 14:1)
Practical Atheism
April 1st is a day associated with pranks and harmless deception - a time when people delight in fooling others. Yet Scripture speaks of a different kind of fool, one whose folly isn’t momentary but foundational, not playful but perilous. Psalm 14:1 begins with a sobering declaration: “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” This isn’t simply a statement about intellectual atheism but a profound indictment of moral and spiritual rebellion. The biblical fool isn’t necessarily one who denies God’s existence with his lips but one who lives as though God doesn’t matter. He may profess belief, but in his heart - his deepest affections and commitments - he rejects the authority of his Creator.
This foolishness isn’t mere ignorance; it’s willful blindness. The Hebrew word for “fool” (nabal) doesn’t primarily describe someone lacking intelligence but someone who’s morally bankrupt. This is why Psalm 14 goes on to say, “They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds” - their denial of God leads to a life that’s twisted, unrighteous, and self-seeking. The fool’s folly isn’t merely in what he thinks, but in how he lives. This same theme is echoed in Romans 1:21-22, where Paul writes, “For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools.” In other words, rejecting God doesn’t lead to enlightenment but to greater folly.
The Heart of the Fool
Psalm 14:1 emphasizes that it’s in the heart that the fool rejects God. This is a crucial distinction because biblical wisdom isn’t merely about knowledge but about the posture of the heart before God. Proverbs 9:10 tells us, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” If fearing God is the foundation of true wisdom, then rejecting him is the essence of foolishness.
Jesus addressed this same issue in his parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21). The man in the story wasn’t called a fool because he was unintelligent or unsuccessful. In fact, by worldly standards, he was quite shrewd - accumulating great wealth and planning for the future. But he was blind to the most important reality of all: his life wasn’t his own. He stored up treasure for himself but was “not rich toward God.” His folly was in living as though this world were ultimate and as though he had control over his own destiny. How many today fall into this same trap - pursuing success, comfort, and security while neglecting the eternal state of their souls?
The Consequences of Foolishness
Psalm 14:3 intensifies its indictment: “They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.” This sweeping statement reminds us that foolishness isn’t just the problem of the hardened atheist or the overtly wicked. It’s the natural condition of fallen humanity. Paul directly quotes this passage in Romans 3:10-12 to underscore the universality of sin - “None is righteous, no, not one.” This is the tragic reality of human depravity: apart from God’s grace, we all suppress the truth and live as though we are the masters of our fate.
The fool’s way of life doesn’t end in success but in destruction. Proverbs repeatedly warns that foolishness leads to ruin: “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice” (Proverbs 12:15). Jesus reinforced this in Matthew 7:26-27 when he compared the one who hears his words but doesn’t obey them to a foolish man who built his house on sand. When the storms came, his foundation collapsed, and “great was the fall of it.” Foolishness isn’t a harmless mistake – it’s a foundation built on self-sufficiency and rebellion against God, and it won’t stand.
The Wisdom of the Cross
If Psalm 14 exposes the depth of human folly, the Gospel provides the remedy. The greatest irony of all is that the wisdom of God is often seen as foolishness by the world. 1 Corinthians 1:18 declares, “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” In other words, true wisdom - salvation through the crucified and risen Christ - is despised by those who claim to be wise. The fool rejects God’s ways, but the truly wise person humbles himself before the cross.
Jesus himself became, in the eyes of the world, the “fool” so that we might be saved. The religious leaders mocked him, the crowds jeered, and the soldiers ridiculed. Yet in his apparent weakness, he was accomplishing the greatest victory. The cross reverses the world’s definitions of wisdom and folly, for what seems foolish to fallen humanity is the very wisdom of God. The wise recognize their need for a Savior; the fool clings to his own way.
Turning from Foolishness to Wisdom
The hope of Psalm 14 is found in its final verse: “Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.” The psalmist looks forward to a day when God will intervene to rescue his people. That day has come in Jesus Christ, the true wisdom of God.
The good news is that none of us is beyond redemption. Though we were all once fools - denying God with our lives, seeking our own way – he’s made a way for us to be wise. Proverbs 3:5-6 calls us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts, leaning not on our own understanding. The first step in true wisdom is to surrender our pride, acknowledge our need, and embrace the wisdom of God revealed in Christ.
So, on this April Fools’ Day, let’s not merely laugh at harmless pranks but examine our own hearts. Are we living as though God is real and supreme in our lives? Or are we, in subtle ways, playing the fool - trusting in our own strength, ignoring his Word, and pursuing temporary things? The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” The wise proclaim with their lives, “Jesus is Lord.”
Questions for Personal Reflection
In what ways do people today live as though “there is no God,” even if they profess belief?
Are there areas in your life where you’ve been relying on your own wisdom rather than seeking God’s?
How does the Gospel of Christ challenge the world’s definition of wisdom and foolishness?
Walking Points
Take time today to read Proverbs 1 and reflect on what it teaches about wisdom and folly. Ask God to make you receptive to his wisdom.
Identify one area in your life where you’ve been tempted to trust in your own understanding rather than in God’s guidance. Surrender it to him in prayer.
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