“Then Saul said, “I have done wrong; return, my son David, for I will no more do you harm, because my life was precious in your eyes this day; behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.””
(1 Samuel 26:21, RSV)
(1 Samuel 26:21, RSV)
When frustrated at the belligerence and faithlessness of the children of Israel, Moses responded in Deuteronomy 32:6 by saying: “Is this the way you repay the Lord, you foolish and senseless people? Isn’t he your Father who created you?” (Deuteronomy 32:6, NLT) Moses was astonished at the way the people treated God, especially after their monumental failures! Then again, people can sometimes be very foolish in the way they think and act.
In the devotional, Strength for Today, John MacArthur pointed out several ways that Christians can “play the fool”. One way they do so is through disbelief. On the road to Emmaus, Jesus appeared to two disciples who didn’t believe that He had risen from the dead. Jesus said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!” (Luke 24:25). To disbelieve God and His Word is to play the fool.
Another way believers play the fool is through disobedience. In Galatians 3:1 the apostle Paul says, “You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?” And in verse 3 he says, “Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” They started out well but were disobedient and got caught up in the works of the law.
Still another way Christians play the fool is through desire for the wrong things. First Timothy 6:9 says, “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires.” If you desire the wrong things, you play the fool.
Finally, you can play the fool through doing the wrong things. James 3:13–17 says that there are two kinds of wisdom. Godly wisdom produces “good behavior” (v. 13), but foolish wisdom produces “jealousy and selfish ambition” (v. 16). A self–centered person plays the fool.
In our scripture for today, King Saul admits his own foolish behavior. After attempting to kill David, Saul realized his own sin. David was a special asset of God. David had done no wrong. Out of jealousy, Saul wanted to rid himself of David. With blind ambition, Saul had murderous thoughts and intentions. When David spared Saul’s life, Saul realized that he was being utterly sinful and decidedly foolish. The scripture for today bear’s Saul’s own words of regret and confession. He told David, “I have played the fool, and erred exceedingly. (1 Samuel 26:21).
While it is sometimes hard to admit when we are being foolish, it is wise to make sure it doesn’t happen. Foolishness flies in the face of God. It is a trait that is both dangerous and sinful. It is an affront to God. It can cause you untold embarrassment, anguish, heartache, and regret.
Like Saul, are you foolish about something in your life? Are you blind to your own pigheadedness? Do you suffer from a bad attitude? Does pride nudge you to be overly critical or selfish? Foolishness attacked the relationship between God and the children of Israel. It caused a major rift between Saul and David. It can wreck the best of people. It can destroy everything you hold dear. Search your heart and soul for foolishness. Weed it out before it can wreak havoc in every part of your life.
In the devotional, Strength for Today, John MacArthur pointed out several ways that Christians can “play the fool”. One way they do so is through disbelief. On the road to Emmaus, Jesus appeared to two disciples who didn’t believe that He had risen from the dead. Jesus said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!” (Luke 24:25). To disbelieve God and His Word is to play the fool.
Another way believers play the fool is through disobedience. In Galatians 3:1 the apostle Paul says, “You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?” And in verse 3 he says, “Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” They started out well but were disobedient and got caught up in the works of the law.
Still another way Christians play the fool is through desire for the wrong things. First Timothy 6:9 says, “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires.” If you desire the wrong things, you play the fool.
Finally, you can play the fool through doing the wrong things. James 3:13–17 says that there are two kinds of wisdom. Godly wisdom produces “good behavior” (v. 13), but foolish wisdom produces “jealousy and selfish ambition” (v. 16). A self–centered person plays the fool.
In our scripture for today, King Saul admits his own foolish behavior. After attempting to kill David, Saul realized his own sin. David was a special asset of God. David had done no wrong. Out of jealousy, Saul wanted to rid himself of David. With blind ambition, Saul had murderous thoughts and intentions. When David spared Saul’s life, Saul realized that he was being utterly sinful and decidedly foolish. The scripture for today bear’s Saul’s own words of regret and confession. He told David, “I have played the fool, and erred exceedingly. (1 Samuel 26:21).
While it is sometimes hard to admit when we are being foolish, it is wise to make sure it doesn’t happen. Foolishness flies in the face of God. It is a trait that is both dangerous and sinful. It is an affront to God. It can cause you untold embarrassment, anguish, heartache, and regret.
Like Saul, are you foolish about something in your life? Are you blind to your own pigheadedness? Do you suffer from a bad attitude? Does pride nudge you to be overly critical or selfish? Foolishness attacked the relationship between God and the children of Israel. It caused a major rift between Saul and David. It can wreck the best of people. It can destroy everything you hold dear. Search your heart and soul for foolishness. Weed it out before it can wreak havoc in every part of your life.