As a child, I remember playing pranks on people on April Fool’s Day. Usually, it was silly things, but the idea was to get them to believe something that wasn’t true. Why, so they would look foolish. The history of April Fool’s Day is a bit obscure, as many different versions are believed. This is a simple one I found published on the History Channel.
“April Fools Day spread throughout Britain during the 18th century. In Scotland, the tradition became a two-day event, starting with “hunting the gowk,” in which people were sent on phony errands (gowk is a word for cuckoo bird, a symbol for fool) and followed by Tailie Day, which involved pranks played on people’s derrieres, such as pinning fake tails or “kick me” signs on them.”
The modern-day April Fool’s consists of people playing all sorts of pranks to get a laugh. While it is done in fun, I can’t help but remember what the Bible says about a fool. Throughout scripture, we are given several characteristics of a fool. Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” This verse teaches us that a fool is someone who lacks wisdom and understanding. If we ignore or reject the instructions from God, it will lead to a pathway of destruction.
In Proverbs 18:2, we find the heart of a fool, “ A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.” A fool takes no pleasure in knowledge but seeks to exalt and assert himself. His highest joy is found in talking about himself.” He does not value knowledge or understanding. Fools are not good listeners, and they don’t feel they have anything to learn. We would classify them as “know it all’s.” This is the truth revealed in Proverbs 12:15, which says, ” The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.“
A fool is not someone who is easily tricked by a silly prank. A fool is someone who trusts in their own understanding. They rationalize everything they do to justify their actions. They act according to their own understanding, not by the truths of God’s word. God gives us the answer to avoid becoming a fool in Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” When we are so arrogant that we will not seek others’ advice, we create a path of making unwise decisions and suffer negative consequences.
Overall, the biblical view of a fool is someone who lacks wisdom, understanding, humility, and discernment. As followers of Christ, we should strive to seek out knowledge and understanding from God’s Word and seek wise counsel from others. We should also be humble and willing to listen and learn from those around us. By doing so, we can avoid the pitfalls of foolishness and instead grow in wisdom and knowledge of God.
On this April Fool’s Day, you will probably see or hear about others playing pranks and getting a big laugh at another’s expense. As Christians, we must look at things differently than the world does. A definition of a true fool lies in Psalm 14:1 “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.” We do not have to look very far to find a biblical fool. These are those who have rejected the amazing love of God and the saving grace of Jesus Christ. It is our responsibility to help those who are foolish.
