“To play someone for a fool” is an idiom that means to deceive someone and use them for your own benefit.
Some characteristics of a fool include:
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Not thinking before actingFools may make the same mistakes repeatedly and may be easily deceived.
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Self-centeredFools may be hypercritical of others, lie to maintain appearances or try to fix things when they go wrong.
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UnteachableFools may be so proud that they don’t listen to reason or seek information from others.
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Quick to quarrelFools may have no interest in understanding others’ opinions, and their words may lead to arguments.
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Other characteristicsFools may also lack understanding of pleasure, find pleasure in evil schemes, or show annoyance.
That was the world’s definition of a fool. I do want to take a look at what the Word of God says about it.
How does the Bible describe a fool?
The Bible has much to say about fools. The word fool today usually means “a senseless fellow, a dullard.” The biblical definition has the added dimension of “someone who disregards God’s Word.” The Bible lists many characteristics of such a person, often contrasting him with one who is wise. Ecclesiastes 10:2 says, “The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left.” A fool is one whose wayward heart turns continually toward foolishness. “Fools speak foolishness and make evil plans” (Isaiah 32:6). Proverbs 26:11 says, “As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.” Fools do not learn their lessons from the mistakes they make. They continue doing the same foolish things over and over again, to their own destruction (Proverbs 18:7).
The following is a partial list of some characteristics of a fool from the book of Proverbs:
- a fool hates knowledge (Proverbs 1:22),
- takes no pleasure in understanding (Proverbs 18:2),
- enjoys wicked schemes (Proverbs 10:23),
- proclaims folly (Proverbs 12:23),
- spurns a parent’s discipline (Proverbs 15:5),
- speaks perversity (Proverbs 19:1),
- is quick-tempered (Proverbs 12:16),
- gets himself in trouble with his proud speech (Proverbs 14:3),
- mocks at sin (Proverbs 14:9),
- is deceitful (Proverbs 14:8), and
- despises his mother (Proverbs 15:20).
A foolish man commits sexual immorality (Proverbs 6:32; 7:7–12).
A foolish woman tears down her own house (Proverbs 14:1).The ultimate description of a fool is one who “says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good” (Psalm 14:1; 53:1). Although fools can choose to become wise by heeding wise counsel and applying it (Proverbs 8:5; 21:11), the Bible warns against associating with fools (Proverbs 14:7). Proverbs 13:20 says, “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”There is an important distinction between the biblical definition of a fool and the word Jesus used (raca) in Matthew 5:22 when He forbade calling a Christian brother a “fool.” zz
Jesus was not saying that we cannot call the choices of another foolish. But to call someone “raca” was saying that this person was beyond the reach of God and therefore condemned forever. To say, “You fool!” to a brother or sister in that day was the equivalent of saying, “Damn you!” to someone today.
We do not have the power or the right to condemn anyone to hell. That position of judgment belongs only to God. A born-again Christian cannot be “damned” because he or she has been purchased by the blood of Christ (Colossians 1:14).
We can and should, however, do all we can to turn the hearts of those exhibiting foolishness toward wisdom and possibly save their lives and their eternal souls (James 5:20).
The person who finds themselves in the position of being played for a fool has nothing to be ashamed of, UNLESS they continue on in the course… CHOOSING to be blind and stupid. THEN they have NO ONE TO BLAME BUT THEMSELVES.
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As an election year, this is a very import topic!! I don’t know if there will be an election, but if there is, LET US AS CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES bond together to clean WASHINGTON DC up of all the BS!! THE USA has historically been the ONLY TRULY FREE COUNTRY and we want to keep it that way. BUT, FREEDOM does not mean that we tolerate corruption, lies, deceit or tyranny.
LET YOUR VOICES BE HEARD! NO MATTER YOUR RACE, CREED, COLOR or SEXUAL PREFERENCE make it known that we are TIRED OF DECEPTION!! WE DEMAND TRUTH and HONESTY in our politics. IF LACK OF CONFIDENCE in your beliefs and your policies is forcing you to LIE, COVER UP AND DECEIVE than we don’t want you in positions of power in OUR NATION!
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