Pastor Ron’s Blog

Don’t Get Fooled

Have you ever been fooled?  Most of us have been bamboozled into buying something or hoodwinked into doing something regretful.  When it happens we feel ridiculous about the circumstance thinking, “How foolish could I be?”  Too often we blame ourselves for being naïve becoming cynical and self-protective in the process.  We say things like, “I won’t be duped like that again” or “next time I’ll be more careful” in an effort to feel not so foolish. 

We need to learn from our mistakes because many of us regularly have to deal with unscrupulous salespersons, or dishonest contractors, or crooked office politics, or the deceitful relative, etc.  So we embrace the proverbial wisdom “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me” because we don’t like being played the fool.  But honestly, it’s hard to fool-proof your life!  Sometimes it seems like foolishness is everywhere because it shows up where you least expect it.  In fact, sensible expectations are frequently ruined by the foolhardy.

“It is folly to expect men to do all that they may reasonably be expected to do” –Archbishop Richard Whately

Careless conduct can be particularly difficult and disappointing in close relationships. Tricks like hidden agendas, pretentiousness, manipulation, control tactics, patronization, broken promises and a host of other egocentric behaviors will erode the foundation of trust with a flood of excuses, lies, insults and accusations.  Friendships usually don’t die a natural death, neglect or narcissism is often the destroyer, and the foolishness can be brutal.

Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly. –Proverbs 17:12 NIV 

The Bible is full of people who have made foolish mistakes, and the truth is, everyone makes them.  But there is a big difference between stupid mistakes and an obnoxious persona.  Some foolishly believe that they can do whatever they like, hurt whomever they wish, and take advantage of every situation.  But the Bible says, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” (Gal. 6:7).  In other words; don’t be fooled, nobody can make a fool of God and get away with it!  If you sow bad seeds you’re going to reap a harvest of weeds.

For me the story of King Saul epitomizes the fool.  If you remember, King Saul had it all; he was handsome and tall, hand-picked by God to lead, and he was successful.  Saul united the people and defeated the Ammonites, Amalekites and a lot of the Philistines, but his love for glory and honor ruined him.  In his foolishness he stopped listening to the voice of God (the Prophet Samuel), then he stopped listening to the voice of reason (Jonathan and David), because he had more interest in following his own voice, obsessed with his own way, convinced that he was always right.

Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. –Proverbs 26:12 NKJV

Eventually King Saul met his fate on Mount Gilboa, falling on his sword with his armor-bearer, because God will not be mocked by the fool.  And the lesson is clear for us, like Saul, we too can be fooled into becoming the fool. 

Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a “fool” so that he may become wise. –1 Corinthians 3:18 NIV

Self deception is the hardest to recognize and the most sinister form of trickery.  We get fooled when we think we are smarter, or more skillful, or more anointed, or more experienced, or more spiritual, or more deserving, or more whatever.  God help us to know the truth about ourselves, and the grace and wisdom to relate with others, so that we don’t get fooled; because nobody likes to stand with a fool.

David sang a song when the Lord saved him from the hand of Saul. Part of it goes like this, “To the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity. To the pure you show yourself pure, but to the wicked you show yourself hostile. You rescue the humble, but you humiliate the proud. You light a lamp for me. The Lord, my God, lights up my darkness…The Lord lives! Praise to my Rock! May the God of my salvation be exalted!”  –Psalm 18:25-28, 46 NLT