DON’T BE A FOOL 5
Ecclesiastis 7:1-9
We are still on this matter of “fool” as defined by the scriptures. In our text today, there are three categories of “fools” identified. We shall consider each of them. Verse 4 says the heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth”. In other words, the “fool” is not serious minded. His thinking is shallow. He does not pay attention to issues which shall be of great concern to an average Christian. He would rather be in places considered “house of mirth” rather than the “house of mourning”.
In the “house of mourning” people would do serious meditation, weigh matters seriously; ponder on issues of life eternal. On the other hand, ephemeral things like what to eat, drink or and wear are topical in the “house of mirth”. Coming to our level the “fool” Christian will not attend fasting and prayer meeting and serious ministers’ conferences. He will rather be at Anointing Services; so called Prosperity seminars; Love feasts and such like. Midweek services are taboo for him. Even on Sundays, he would come late to church not meeting the call-to-worship and Sunday School. If you do all these, the bible says you are a fool!
In verse 5, we are told that “it is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the sound of fools. This tells us that the fool has nothing tangible to say. His counsel is foolishness. He has nothing tangible to offer. His discussions are always about non-consequential matters. While others burn the proverbial midnight oil ruminating on how to move forward, the fool will be about drinking and caressing with women of easy virtue. He would be among critics of the church. He will support Facebook preachers against the doctrines of the church and even against his man of God! Do not be a fool. Stop these if you are affected.
Lastly, we find that “anger lies in the bosom of fools”. Somebody once defined anger as “that situation when your mouth runs faster than your thoughts and you act before you have opportunity to ponder on what to do”. Anger is little madness. Have you not heard people say “I was mad with him”? Yes, when you are angry, if you are not careful, you do insane things; you say unprintable words and act irrationally. As a child of God, the charge is “be angry but sin not” and “let not the sum go down on your anger”. In other words, when occasion calls for anger, tread with caution; apply self-control. Restrain yourself from saying or doing what you will regret later. Don’t keep your anger bottled up in you. Settle the matter within a reasonable time. What anger does to you is not palatable. Deal with anger. Don’t be a fool. Let your bosom not be filled with anger but full of wisdom.
MEDITATION: Fools die for lack of wisdom. I refuse to be a fool.
