April Fools

On the first day of April, many people like to play pranks on others and then utter the phrase “April Fools.” The idea is to trick someone, but then let them know that they have been tricked.

It is usually considered more fun to be the one fooling someone, than the one being fooled. No one really likes to be fooled. No one likes to be made a fool by someone else.

The American Heritage Dictionary defines fool as follows: One who has been tricked or made to appear ridiculous; a dupe; One who is regarded as deficient in judgment, sense, or understanding.

There is much said about fools in Proverbs. When the word fool is used in Proverbs, it refers usually to unbelievers. This is certainly the case when it is used in Psalm 14:1. Those that refuse to believe in God, and those that refuse to accept His offer of Salvation by grace, become fools.

The world may think that we are foolish. 1 Cor 1:18. What we have to tell them seems to them as foolishness, but it is the wisdom of God unto salvation to those that believe. We cannot let the attitude of the world keep us from preaching Christ. It is the wisest thing we could do.

So, we become fools for God’s sake that we might receive the wisdom of God. To the world, fools, but to God, wise. We do not, however, want to be foolish concerning spiritual things. Eph 5:15-17. God does not want us to be deceived by our enemy. He does not want us to be ignorant spiritually. He has provided His Word so that we may know all that is necessary for our spiritual lives.

Just as there are those on April first that want to fool others, there is someone that would like to fool God’s people: Satan. We must realize that Satan is not just playing some joke, but truly wants to deceive us into losing our reward. He does not want God to be glorified in our lives. He does not want us to enjoy all that God has provided for us.

It is possible for even believers to become foolish at times. The apostle Paul referred to the Galatians as foolish. Gal. 3:1,3. They had accepted something other than the gospel which Paul preached. They were trying to become acceptable to God by their own efforts. God does not want our fleshly efforts. We become fools if we try to substitute our own efforts for the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

We become fools when we try to substitute the things of this world for things that are of eternal value. 1 Tim 6:9-12. We become fools when we allow our friends to take us away from fellowship the Lord, and His Word. We become fools when we think that we do not need to go to a church where the Word of God is taught. We become fools for many reasons which are not worth the eternal loss that they can cause.

Do not let Satan make a fool out of you. You can know the truth, and you can be wise spiritually. Study God’s Word. Get to a church where you will be taught God’s Word. Allow the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s Word to you personally. Don’t be a fool.

Gordon Crook