Uplifting Renewal

“Any man is liable to err; only a fool persists in error.” — Marcus Tullius Cicero

No one wants to be called a fool. Yet, many exhibit foolish behavior without realising it. A fool is not merely someone lacking intelligence. In biblical terms, a fool is someone who lacks wisdom, understanding, and discernment. They live recklessly, make destructive choices, and fail to grasp the deeper meaning of life.

The Bible offers profound insight into the characteristics of a fool. Let’s explore these attributes, using scripture as our guide. You think this doesn’t apply to you. However, you may be shocked at how similar your choices have been lately to foolishness.

15 characteristics of foolishness

1. A fool disregards God

Some claim to believe in God but deny Him through their actions. Ignoring His commands is, in essence, a denial of His existence.

“A fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they have done abominable works; there is none who does good.” — Psalm 14:1

2. A fool rejects wisdom and correction

Are you open to learning and correction, or do you resist advice from God, family, friends, or mentors? A fool despises wisdom and refuses instruction.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” — Proverbs 1:7

3. A fool is quick to anger

Anger itself isn’t sinful, but uncontrolled anger leads to destruction—ruining relationships and clouding judgment.

“Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger rests in the bosom of fools.” — Ecclesiastes 7:9

4. A fool is arrogant and stubborn

A fool is dogmatic, egocentric and imperious. Trusting only in their own understanding, refusing wise counsel. They are so consumed by themselves they don’t see the value in seeking or accepting guidance.

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise.” — Proverbs 12:15

5. A fool mocks sin

Rather than feeling guilt, fools mock the idea of sin and those who acknowledge it. They are full of self-righteousness and refuse and dismiss the need for repentance.

“Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous, there is favor.” — Proverbs 14:9

6. A fool is opinionated but unwise

A fool enjoys the sound of his own voice but has no real interest in gaining understanding. They are self-confident and thinks too highly of themselves, and shares their foolishness freely.

“A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.” — Proverbs 18:2

7. A fool is self-destructive

A fool repeats the same mistakes and refuses to change, becoming a liability to himself and others.

“As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.” — Proverbs 26:11

“Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” — Proverbs 26:12

8. A fool is reckless and careless

A fool refuses to understand their limitations and potential dangers. Lacking caution, they do not consider the consequences of their actions. The company of fools leads to harm, while the wise seek meaningful connections.

“The wise watch their steps and avoid evil; fools are headstrong and reckless.” — Proverbs 14:16

9. A fool is a bad influence

They may destroy something just for amusement, stir up trouble to provoke a reaction, or start conflicts out of sheer boredom, never thinking about the harm they cause.

“He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” — Proverbs 13:20

10. A fool lacks discernment in speech

A fool speaks rashly, often causing unnecessary conflict.

“Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; when he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.” — Proverbs 17:28

“A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for blows. A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.” — Proverbs 18:6-7

11. A fool is spiritually blind

A fool lacks true insight and walks in darkness, oblivious to the wisdom that could guide them. You find fools by their speech, a person who lives in ignorance and hopelessness. Being spiritually blind means they are morally compromised and lack enlightenment. Recommend against associating with them, as their company will not lead to knowledge or understanding.

“The wise man’s eyes are in his head, but the fool walks in darkness.” — Ecclesiastes 2:14

12. A fool squanders wealth

Fools are wasteful, unable to manage resources wisely.

“The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get.” — Proverbs 21:20

“Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom, when they are not able to understand it?” — Proverbs 17:16

13. A fool blames God for their own mistake

Rather than taking responsibility, fools blame God for the consequences of their own actions. They avoid accountability, responding to their mistakes with anger and resentment, and attributing their problems to divine blame.

“People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry with God.” — Proverbs 19:3

14. A fool brings grief to their family

The foolishness of a child deeply affects parents.

“A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.” — Proverbs 17:25

“A foolish son is the ruin of his father.” — Proverbs 19:13

15. A fool is unteachable

Even severe consequences fail to correct a fool’s ways. They are argumentative and self-ruinous, prone to repeating their mistakes and foolish behaviors.

“Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with grain, yet his foolishness will not depart from him.” — Proverbs 27:22

“Rebuke is more effective for a wise man than a hundred blows for a fool.” — Proverbs 17:10

How to avoid foolishness

The Bible repeatedly warns against the dangers of foolishness. To avoid the path of the fool, we must:

• Seek God’s wisdom (James 1:5)
• Be teachable and open to correction
• Guard our speech and emotions
• Surround ourselves with wise company
• Take responsibility for our actions

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” — Proverbs 9:10

Foolishness is more than a lack of intelligence, it is a pattern of behavior that resists wisdom, rejects correction, and leads to destruction. Many people unknowingly display foolish tendencies, making it essential to self-reflect, guard our words and actions, and seek wisdom.

The question is: Are we willing to recognise and correct our foolish ways, or will we persist in them?