Topical Bible: Character of the Unrenewed Heart: Foolish

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The concept of foolishness in the Bible is often associated with the unrenewed heart, a heart that has not been transformed by the grace and wisdom of God. In Scripture, foolishness is not merely a lack of intelligence or common sense, but a moral and spiritual deficiency that reflects a rejection of God's truth and wisdom.

Biblical Definition and Characteristics

The Bible frequently contrasts wisdom and foolishness, portraying the latter as a hallmark of those who live apart from God's guidance. In Proverbs 1:7 , it is written, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." This verse highlights that foolishness is characterized by a disdain for divine instruction and a refusal to submit to God's authority.

Foolishness is also depicted as a state of moral corruption and spiritual blindness. In Romans 1:21-22 , the Apostle Paul describes the foolishness of those who reject God: "For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools." Here, foolishness is linked to a willful ignorance and a turning away from the truth of God, resulting in a darkened understanding.

Manifestations of Foolishness

The unrenewed heart exhibits foolishness in various ways, as outlined in Scripture. One manifestation is the pursuit of sinful desires and the rejection of righteous living. Proverbs 14:16 states, "A wise man fears and turns from evil, but a fool is careless and reckless." This verse illustrates the fool's tendency to engage in reckless behavior without regard for the consequences, driven by a heart that is not aligned with God's will.

Another aspect of foolishness is the inability to control one's speech. Proverbs 18:2 observes, "A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions." The unrenewed heart often speaks without wisdom or discernment, revealing its folly through thoughtless words and a lack of self-control.

Consequences of Foolishness

The Bible warns of the dire consequences that accompany a foolish heart. Proverbs 10:21 declares, "The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of judgment." This verse underscores the destructive path of foolishness, which leads to spiritual and sometimes physical ruin due to poor judgment and decision-making.

Furthermore, the fool's rejection of God and His wisdom results in separation from the blessings and life that come from a relationship with the Creator. In Matthew 7:26-27 , Jesus compares the foolish man to one who builds his house on sand, leading to its collapse: "But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its collapse."

Hope for the Foolish Heart

Despite the grim portrayal of the foolish heart, the Bible offers hope for transformation through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. In 1 Corinthians 1:24-25 , Paul writes, "But to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength." Through Christ, the foolish heart can be renewed, gaining true wisdom and understanding that comes from God alone.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 12:23
A prudent man conceals knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 22:15
Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Four Soils for one Seed
... shall prosper, whether this or that.' The character of the ... the desires and inclinations
of the unrenewed man is ... a while, has sprung again in his heart, and, by ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/four soils for one seed.htm

Victory Over the World through Faith
... as they might do in an unrenewed mind, but ... respecting them must at least embrace
their general character. ... suppose that such a religion fits his heart for heaven ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/xxii victory over the world.htm

Prayer and Obedience
... To infer it, is to slander the character of God ... incident to the natural man removed,
but a heart which gladly ... If it be claimed, that the unrenewed man, with all ...
/.../bounds/the necessity of prayer/ix prayer and obedience.htm

The Blind Beggar
... The unrenewed mind is so blind, that it perceives not the ... this poor man's faith was
of such a character that it ... Faith has been in your heart perhaps for many a ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the blind beggar.htm

Of the Incapacity of an Unregenerate Person for Relishing the ...
... society of those blessed inhabitants, that unrenewed nature and ... xvii.15;) a character
that is manifestly most ... of prevailing wickedness in the heart, my soul ...
/.../practical discourses on regeneration/discourse v of the incapacity.htm

All the Day Long
... down your God-given and heaven-honored character of a ... it has more practical power
over his life and heart. ... is not to be accomplished by unrenewed nature; it is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/all the day long.htm

An Address to the Regenerate, Founded on the Preceding Discourses.
... to persons of a very different character; and I ... of the passions, while the soul
continues unrenewed and unsanctified ... not he that pondereth the heart consider it ...
/.../doddridge/practical discourses on regeneration/discourse x an address to.htm

The Warrant of Faith
... repentance never can exist in an unrenewed soul. ... and tremblings, and convictions,
and heart-searchings to be ... of sin, and consider the dreadful character of the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/the warrant of faith.htm

Washed to Greater Foulness
... of men: they think they are saved when they are still unrenewed. ... Lord permits him
to see his own heart and he ... brother men; if, in a word, his character had not ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/washed to greater foulness.htm

Exposition of the Doctrines of Grace
... existence of God"in his righteous character and perfect ... this"when we were in an
unrenewed depraved state. ... the Spirit to change the human heart, whether you ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/exposition of the doctrines of.htm