STUDIES FROM BRETHREN IN CHRIST

10/27/2019 ~ Fools

⛇   FoolsAM1.mp3 (23m 31s)   Fools.pptx Darkness is the end of a fool's folly. Passions run the length of time oblivious to the One that gives life. None of us can claim we have not followed foolish ways in life. The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good. ~ Psalms 14:1 O LORD, how great are Your works! ... A senseless man does not know, Nor does a fool understand this. ~ Psalms 92:5-6 If one does not embrace God in this world, indeed, he or she remains a limited creature of the flesh. The desert of the world is not the Kingdom of God. Our bodies will return to the dust while God remains. To ignore Him is to reject Him. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction. ~ Proverbs 1:7 Without instruction, knowledge, and the wisdom that accompanies it, one remains more humanist that spiritual. To reach for the heavens one must put on these badges. Fools are guided by short sided selfish whims of impulse, not really having insight or direction other than desperation. We were created to be thoughtful, not mindless. What One Seeks Defines Direction       Wisdom ↑ Knowledge    Instruction                          Fools ↓ Understand, you senseless among the people; And you fools, when will you be wise? ~ Psalms 94:8 "How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge." ~ Proverbs 1:22 Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words. ~ Proverbs 23:9 "Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, ..." ~ Matthew 7:6 Power to the people does not necessarily reflect power to God. Followers of men can and does discount the will of God Almighty Himself. The moral majority is an illusion where it has always been the moral minority. Follow Me was the call of Jesus to all wishing salvation from the confines of manmade corruption and tyranny. ... things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. ~ 2nd Peter 3:16 For all those that perceive they are free to do as they will, without accountability to God, are not one in His Spirit. They are united in their sin and will find His grace unobtainable upon judgment of character according to His will and standards. Sexual revolutions have perhaps been the downfall of all nations striving to unite by delivering only contempt and confusion as they selfishly cry wandering without leadership. Revelation does not equate to lawlessness, and God throughout time has warned us sin no favor with Him. To be in His light is to come out of the darkness. As a dog returns to his own vomit, So a fool repeats his folly. ~ Proverbs 26:11 Dogs and fools alike wander about in a stupor not knowing or caring to know. ... a rod for the fool's back. Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him. ... ~ Proverbs 26:3-5 If a wise man contends with a foolish man, Whether the fool rages or laughs, there is no peace. ~ Proverbs 29:9 Fools are generally hotheads and have very thin skin when it comes to depth of character. In ridicule they can dish it out, but in return, very little criticism or rebuke sets off their I immediate rage. It has been my experience there are more raging fools than laughing. Laughing is a cover-up whereas rageis an easier flow for the miserable unthankful complainer. For like the crackling of thorns under a pot, So is the laughter of the fool. This also is vanity. ~ Ecclesiastes 7:6 It is honorable for a man to stop striving, Since any fool can start a quarrel. ~ Proverbs 20:3 A wise man fears and departs from evil, But a fool rages and is self-confident. ~ Proverbs 14:16 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. ~ Proverbs 26:12 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, But the heart of the fool does not do so. ~ Proverbs 15:7 A fool can be a bull in a glass house, but in truth, most fools hide behind the fear of insecurity in the depths of their turmoil. Recall, where there is a fool there can be no peace or unity of thought. ... A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul. ~ Proverbs 18:6-7 Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, And whoever spreads slander is a fool. ~ Proverbs 10:18 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. ~ Proverbs 19:1 Fools do not have integrity, which is to remain steadfast, for their houses are built upon the sand. Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him. ~ Proverbs 29:20 Hasty words often rhyme with nasty. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! ~ James 3:5 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness. ~ Proverbs 15:14 Fake news has torched all civilizations with a plethora of liars. God loves all and will forgive all sins, and if you believe this you surly are a fool waiting for His breath of truth, which strips all lies as we all fall before Him.   FoolsAM2.mp3 (23m 38s) "Forsake foolishness and live, And go in the way of understanding. ..." ~ Proverbs 9:6-8 The Bible states fools will not like you with wisdom delivered from above. Most will not hear choosing rather to dismiss what will eventually convict their actions; His Word. One of the easiest things a fool can do is to hate others. Fools fester upon anger isolated in misery   FOOLS       Understand:            ● Correct a scoffer                → Get shame and Harm                  → He will hate you            ● Rebuke a wise man                → He will love you Rebuke is more effective for a wise man Than a hundred blows on a fool. ~ Proverbs 17:10 ... the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth. A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her who bore him. ~ Proverbs 17:24-25 A fool only sees permanence in the world, with eternity only a shadow of what will never be. This world was made shallow to test the height of character under weights absent of feathers. He who begets a scoffer does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy. ~ Proverbs 17:21 Fools can certainly hurt you and each of us has been hurt by a fool. A fool despises his father's instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent. ~ Proverbs 15:5 Hate is the barrier curtailing all that is greater in appreciation of true wisdom delivered to the humble. ... a foolish man despises his mother. Folly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment, ... ~ Proverbs 15:20-21 A fool generally cannot see past his own face. Go from the presence of a foolish man, When you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge. ... ~ Proverbs 14:7-9 The wise shall inherit glory, But shame shall be the legacy of fools. ~ Proverbs 3:35 To leave being a dumb fool, one must rise to become a smart fool, in that letting truth shine in upon the sin to reveal regret that softens the soul. A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back. ~ Proverbs 29:11 Many situations can trigger a foolish a heart, but to be reserved is control through the power of wisdom. We are all in the arena of sharks circling. A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his own heart. ~ Proverbs 18:2 If you want to leave the fool behind, one must hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise. A fool's wrath is known at once, ... ~ Proverbs 12:15-16 A foolish woman is clamorous; She is simple, and knows nothing. ~ Proverbs 9:13 ... In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride, But the lips of the wise will preserve them. ~ Proverbs 14:1-3 The things that tear a fool apart are found in perversity, despising others, and a swelling smugness. A fool tears things down rather than building it up. Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, For anger rests in the bosom of fools. ~ Ecclesiastes 7:9 The proof is in the nail. Direction guides the heart. ... the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness. The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good. ~ Proverbs 15:1-3 Soft or harsh, each of us has to examine the most inner self to discover ones true worth. To lie is to remain oblivious that we all need to improve under the wise eye of God. "... So he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods.' ..." ~ Luke 12:16-18 God has given to each of us, some more abundantly than others. When a lack of thankfulness, for what one does have, pervades the conscience, greed can focus on what takes a soul away from a godly presence. "... God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?'" ~ Luke 12:19-20 Without a constant awareness of God, in humble acknowledgement, the moment can deliver troubled expulsion upon facing deliverance at eternal judgment. Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. ... ~ Galatians 6:7-8 If one cannot possess a spiritual nature over a carnal material one, those lessons and tests God watch out for, in how we live, and for what, will cause our eternal downfall. Fools spiral in the faults that condemn them ● Only a fool denies God is real ● Fools despise wisdom and instruction ● The wise have no unity with raging or laughing fools ● A fool rages and is self-confident ● A fool’s mouth is his worst enemy ● Perverse lips & spreading slander is a fool’s delight ● Wise correction of a fool invites his contempt ● Sorrow, grief, & bitterness on the parents of a fool ● Shame is the legacy of a fool ● A fool speaks impulsively lacking all control ● A fools way is right in his own eyes ● A foolish woman is loud and destructive ● Anger rests in the bosom of fools The madness of a fool views no self-control. → Sees no harbor Darkness struts about with no direction to go.   FoolsAM3.mp3 (36m 16s) Fools may consider strength of humble spirit out of reach, perhaps even dismissing the need for an improving change as they frolic in their sins. To do evil is like sport to a fool, But a man of understanding has wisdom. ~ Proverbs 10:23 Evil plots with no mercy mired in hate and discontent. ... abomination to fools to depart from evil. He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed. ~ Proverbs 13:19-20 As the ditch is deep, foolish associations will lead to the demise of good behaviors, and deposit only what is foul. God purposed creation and we in His image to find purpose as well. Foolishly we all battle sins in coming to know, becoming either earthly fools or ones with eyesight on heaven. Better to be a heavenly fool rather than one of earthly fadings. ... the complacency of fools will destroy them; ~ Proverbs 1:32 Fools desire an escape from misery and take little account of the fall that lays before them. Pits remain deepening when one cannot come to senses of truth with restraint. The wise in heart will receive commands, But a prating fool will fall. ~ Proverbs 10:8 Fools often cling to desperation and have an insatiable desire to be noticed. Within hours you may know more about their jobs, complaints, marital problems or lack of, to their financial woes, without them ever even asking your name or any other concern than themselves. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, But the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. ~ Ecclesiastes 7:4 With so many “legal” mind altering substances available today, the power to resist is not for the faint hearted. In this world one cannot be sane without sorrow. If one only pursues pleasures without thought of tears for the children, how despicable is he or she who cares only for self. The deeper essence of a soul is found in love of others over self. ... The wise man's eyes are in his head, But the fool walks in darkness. ... ~ Ecclesiastes 2:13-15 Certainly, there is much more foolishness that buries the masses, than wisdom that guides the children. For there is no more remembrance of the wise than of the fool forever, ... ~ Ecclesiastes 2:16-17 No intelligence can achieve that nirvana souls seek. For all that we are or can become, it is worthless without God. For as dust has no living value, without love from above, presence has no worth. For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, ... ~ Titus 3:3 In becoming creatures of God, awareness through experience either lifts or sinks a heart. To establish excellence, our minds must rule over impulsive desires spanning what is wicked, pursuing mercy and compassion which opens a wise heart’s freedom, and this is acceptable to God. "... whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire." ~ Matthew 5:22 Wishing death upon fellow humans is one of the most condemning judgments that can fall upon us, when God asks if we heard his call to life. "But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: ..." ~ Matthew 7:26 A wave of truth approaches and all false facades will crumble in His presence. If one cannot hear His call to rise in goodness, more so angry with self faults over blaming others, delusions of living through external assumptions denies one’s self actuations of spirit in truth. ... but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, ... ~ Romans 1:20-22 Because He is, we have life, and can choose to live in hope or fall to something less than what pleases Him. Do we cherish ourselves over the father that created us? Divine or despicable defines destination. Hope is greater than all that is temporary. ... the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. ~ Romans 1:23-25 No matter of substance should be worshipped, and objects of our worship have no value when exalted above He who created them. As creatures we rise from the dust to return as it were; what in creation has more value than the spirit that sustains our very souls in existence itself. As a sword that cuts is not greater than He who allowed it to be, His word transcends all vibrations where sounds form. Pursuits in life can be a delicate dance with eternity Sows to his Flesh = Corruption Sows to the Spirit = Everlasting Life But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? ~ James 2:20 Working for a higher sense of identity, in service with one another, is the path He declares all should follow. ... transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. ~ 2nd Corinthians 11:12-14 There are fools who are best at exceptional and most spectacular lies, testing honest hearts with their deceptions. Hearsay religions do not adhere to the word of God preferring to cater to the whims of man over God. ... transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. ... ~ 2nd Corinthians 11:15-17 Many proclaimed good deeders play on innocent sympathies to achieve their selfish ends. ... you put up with fools gladly, since you yourselves are wise! For you put up with it if one brings you into bondage, ... ~ 2nd Corinthians 11:18-20 Fools can be extremely crafty in knowledge, manipulating fellows. Fools can best get along with other fools. As misery loves company, so too does a fool love other fools. ... I speak as a fool--I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, ... ~ 2nd Corinthians 11:21-23 Pride has the stealthy mask of a fool. Arrogance rises from the cruelty in a heart. If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, ... ~ 1st Timothy 6:3-7 Selfishness misses the moment leaving one crabby      To our shame   Godliness with      Contentment      is great gain    Fools teach otherwise:               ● Proud, knowing nothing               ● Obsessed with arguments                 ● Envy, strife, reviling               ● Evil suspicions               ● Useless wranglings               ● Corrupt minds               ● Destitute of the truth               ● Suppose godliness                   is a means of gain ... those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. ... ~ 1st Timothy 6:8-11 Mindset sets the tone for success or failure       Pursue:                        ● Righteousness                              ● Godliness                        ● Faith                        ● Love                        ● Patience                        ● Gentleness ... He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But whoever walks wisely will be delivered. ~ Proverbs 28:25-26 The lips of the righteous feed many, But fools die for lack of wisdom. ~ Proverbs 10:21 God in His purpose has one path to salvation including His wisdom for man to know. Arrogance is the seed of anger. "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves." ~ Matthew 10:16 Difficulties in life will never cease in the flesh, but to rise in spirit has no measurable comparison, leaving the desires of the earth behind for untold glories ahead. ... I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexualy immoral people. Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. ~ 1st Corinthians 5:8-10 To put off those unspeakable qualities and share belief in God has challenged all who choose to believe. See that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. ~ Ephesians 5:15-16 To obtain wisdom is the choicest of all possessions that no thief can steal. Wisdom frees a soul to roam silence in the noise, to live in contentment as others discontently die. When eternity becomes a gift rather than a curse, a soul finds God. It is foolish to expect callous hearts are wise ● A fool finds evil as fun ● A fool as a companion will lead to destruction ● Fools tend to be simple minded and lethargic ● Fools seek pleasures where forgetfulness dwells ● Fools walk in darkness ● In time both the wise man and fool die as the fool ● A fool heeds not the word of God but blames others ● Hypocrites who claim wisdom fall on their own lies ● A greedy fool is unprepared for God’s judgment ● Faith without works is the regard of a fool ● Many boast in self-goodness void of holiness ● Trusting in one’s own proud heart is foolish ● Walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise A fool has no pleasure in the wisdom God offers. Darkness defines the bottom of nothing.