Fifteen Ways to Recognize a Fool

The Bible provides practical instruction on how to recognize a fool in order to avoid their dangerous ways.

Do you want to be wise? (Prov. 23:15-16)

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. (Ephesians 5:15)

Then you need to learn to recognize a fool because…

• Fools break your focus — they distract you
• Fools waste valuable time & energy
• Fools slow your life down
• Fools rob you of precious moments

Fifteen ways to recognize a fool

1. A fool is anyone who despises wisdom, instruction, and correction from a proven mentor. (Prov. 1:7)
2. A fool is anyone who attempts to destroy the reputation of a proven warrior through lying and misrepresentation. (Prov. 10:18)
3. A fool is anyone who refuses to abandon evil even when corrected. (Prov. 13:19)
4. A fool is anyone who does not take the “dangerousness” of sin seriously. (Prov. 14:9)
5. A fool refuses to admit his mistakes even when his pain is the obvious result of his actions. (Prov. 14:16)
6. A fool is anyone who’s conduct does not change even after experiencing the painful consequences of their foolish actions (Prov. 17:10)
7. A fool is anyone who considers any pursuit of understanding to be wasted effort. (Prov. 17:16)
8. The parents of a fool will live in sorrow for their entire lifetime (Prov. 17:21 & 25)
9. A fool is always at the center of strife and contention. (Prov. 18:6-7)
10.  fool refuses to seek counsel from successful and accessible mentors. (Prov. 19:20)
11. A fool is anyone who refuses to embrace peace. (Prov. 20:3)
12. A fool is anyone who spends more money than he is willing to earn. (Prov. 21:20)
13. A fool cannot be changed through counsel (Prov. 23:9)
14. A fool is anyone who creates his own belief system contrary to the word of God. (Prov. 28:26)
15. A fool tells everyone everything he knows. (Prov. 29:11)