Temple Baptist Church - 6-4-2023
Psalm 14
Introduction:
A. This is the second Psalm that began with the fool who, in his or her heart, rejects the Person and Presence of an Almighty God. We have already looked at Psalm 53.
Psalms 53:1 To the chief Musician upon Mahalath, Maschil, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.
B. The word “fool” is used 73 times in the Bible, 65 times in the Old Testament and 8 times in the New Testament, and the word “foolish” is found 52 times. There is a vast difference between the two.
1. “Fool” is the condition of one’s heart. It means to “wilt” or to “fall away”. An impious individual. To wilt means that it once stood up and to fall away means to once stand somewhere else. A fool of the greatest degree is found in the Atheist. As God lighteth every man or woman who is born in this world, that light of God must be intentionally dimed or put out by the individual.
John 1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, (2) That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. (3) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
2. “Foolish” is the actions of a “not so smart” individual. The word “foolish” is found 52 times in the Bible, 35 times in the Old Testament and 17 times in the New Testament. It is tied directly to the word “fool” which shows that a person’s actions are a result of a heart condition. A good definition of foolishness:
James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
3. All of us have been foolish at times. There are things that I have done that I wish I could change and probably so do you.
4. A person can be a fool and foolish in other areas and still believe in God, but the ultimate fool spoken of here in Psalm 14 is one who rejects God totally.
C. Now, let us look at the characteristics of a Fool found in the Bible.
1. A Fool rejects God. Romans 1:21-22 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (22) Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
2. A Fool rejects Instruction. Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
3. A Fool is Self-Righteous. Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
4. A Fool is full of Wrath. Proverbs 12:16 A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.
5. A Fool has no Fear of God. Proverbs 14:16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
6. A Fool will not hear the instruction of Parents. Proverbs 15:5 A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
7. A Fool has no control over his Tongue. Proverbs 18:6-7 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. (7) A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
8. A Fool never learns life’s Lessons. Proverbs 26:11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
9. A fool trusts his Heart. Proverbs 28:26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
10. A Fool destroys his House. Proverbs 11:29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.
Proverbs 14:1 Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
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