Don’t be a fool – Matthew 25:1-13
Rom 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
Eph 5:15 See that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise.
These ten virgins had much in common:
1. They were all virgins. – Same opportunities and conditions.
2. They were all awake and watchful for some time, ready to meet the bridegroom, and hence it is said, “They took their lamps.”
3. They all had so much faith to meet the bridegroom. (15)
4. They all fell asleep.
What was the difference btw the wise and foolish Virgins?
1. Preparedness – the man with the plan is the man with the power.
By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail. Success is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.
I believe success is preparation because the opportunity will knock on your door sooner or later but are you prepared to answer that?
“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” Abraham Lincoln.
* Anticipation – don’t just prepare; prepare for eventualities, changes, and the future
3. Oil – what does the oil stands for, and they were asked to buy oil, but the wise had extra.
a. Truth – The word of God and the person of Christ.
Pro 23:23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, instruction, and understanding.
Joh 14:6 Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father but by me.
2Ti 2:15 Study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. View more
Jas 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
b. Holy spirit – Oil is a widely understood symbol of the Holy Spirit.
c. Grace –
4. Purposeful decision not to share –
Part 2
Whether one is wise or foolish is a matter of one’s choice.
You see, many people blame others for their foolishness; that itself is foolishness.
The Bible referred to foolishness as Evil – Mark 7:20-23
It is, therefore, an evil thing to be a fool.
Characteristics of a Fool
The Bible is full of scriptures about foolish people.
When we look at the Word of God, the Lord gives us quite a few characteristics of a foolish person that can help us better understand the behavior of a fool and learn to avoid certain habits or mindsets.
1. Fools commit sin
Pro 14:9 Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favor. View more
Pro 24:9 The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.
Num 12:11 And Aaron said to Moses, Alas, my Lord, I beseech you, lay not the sin on us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned.
2. A fools say there is no God and/or has no fear of God
Psa 14:1 The fool has said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that does good.
Psa 53:1 The fool has said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that does good.
3. Fools hate knowledge and despise wisdom and instruction
Fools don’t seek wisdom and instruction. This doesn’t mean that they don’t want to talk about their problems, but you will not see them looking into scripture to apply it to their situation. They may just share their issues with a lot of people and find a counsel that they can pick and choose from
Pro 1:22 How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? And the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7
Pro 15:5 A fool despises his father’s instruction: but he that regards reproof is prudent.
Pro 15:14 The heart of him that has understanding seeks knowledge: but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.
Pro 18:2 A fool has no delight in understanding but that his heart may discover itself.
4. Proud and full of himself-
Pro 14:3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
Pro 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that listens to counsel is wise.
A wise man fears and departs from evil, But a fool rages and is self-confident. Proverbs 14:16
A fool has no delight in understanding, but expressing his own heart. Proverbs 18:2
5. They are deceitful and mischievous
Pro 14:8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.
Pro 10:23 It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding has wisdom
6. Gets angry quickly
Pro 14:17 He that is soon angry deals foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.
Ecc 7:9 Be not hasty in your spirit to be angry: for anger rests in the bosom of fools.
7. They are busybodies
Pro 20:3 It is an honor for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.
8. Wasteful
Pro 21:20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spends it up.
9. Talk too much –
Pro 23:9 Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of your words.
Pro 29:11 A fool utters all his mind: but a wise man keeps it in till afterwards.
Ecc 5:3 For a dream comes through the multitude of business, and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.
Ecc 10:14 A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?
10. They don’t honour other
Pro 26:1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not seemly for a fool.
11. They are lazy –
Ecc 4:5 The fool folds his hands together and eats his own flesh.
12. They are disobedience
Mat 7:26 And every one that hears these sayings of mine, and does them not, shall be likened to a foolish man, which built his house on the sand:
13. Easily enticed
With her enticing speech she caused him to yield,
With her flattering lips she seduced him.
Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter,
Or as a fool to the correction of the stocks, Till an arrow struck his liver.
As a bird hastens to the snare, He did not know it would cost his life. Proverbs 7:21-23
A foolish person can be easily flattered. Because generally foolish people have a high view of themselves, they are hungry and thirsty for the flattery and enticing words that tickle their ears. Typically, these individuals are easily enamored and excited with new people, and can leap into quick decisions, such as a marriage, because someone sounded good!! They can also be the ones who can jump on any bandwagon of Christian success without accessing the soundness of the doctrine or the character of the leader.
14. Slander comes easy
Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, And whoever spreads slander is a fool. Proverbs 10:18
A foolish person has no problem gossiping and back-biting when they are upset. The other person’s reputation is of no importance. This moment and how the person feels becomes more significant than anything else. If you are on the other side of this and you are hearing someone being slandered, you should be wary of this person. Just as they slandered someone to you, someday you may be the target of their slander if it doesn’t line up with how God tells us to interact with people.
15. Repeats mistakes
As a dog returns to his own vomit, So a fool repeats his folly. Proverbs 26:11
Someone can also be foolish because they are not learning from their mistakes. They continue to do the things that jeopardize their relationships, finances, or jobs. They may complain momentarily, but they soon go back to what they used to do as if they have forgotten about the pain and the agony of what they just went through.
Fools are people of extremes; they have a hard time staying stable and moderate in their speech and response to situations. Generally, these people can be interesting and exciting to be around, but if you pay close attention to their lives and their choices, you will see that it is a matter of time before something else goes wrong in their lives due to a lack of wisdom and impulsiveness.
Lord, we don’t want to be fools in any area of our lives. Show us those areas that need change!
