Why do fools despise wisdom (Proverbs 1:7)?

Answer

In our culture, fools are often perceived as silly or ridiculous, and foolishness is defined as a lack of awareness that leads to trouble, annoyance, or offense. However, the biblical concept of a fool is not primarily focused on someone who is silly or naive. Psalm 14:1 states, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” Proverbs 1:7 explains, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Fools willingly reject the Lord and hold God’s wisdom in contempt. They opt not to fear the Lord “For that they hated knowledge, And did not choose the fear of the LORD:”, (Proverbs 1:29). They disregard the advice and rebuke of the Lord, refuse to walk in His wisdom, and do not follow His ways “They would none of my counsel: They despised all my reproof.”, (Proverbs 1:30). Instead, fools rely on themselves. By trusting in themselves “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: But whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.”, (Proverbs 28:26), the fool fails to recognize that their own heart is deceitful and desperately wicked “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”, (Jeremiah 17:9). Therefore, it is not surprising that fools are corrupt and their ways are vile (Psalm 14:1;Psalm 53:1). They take pleasure in wicked schemes “It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: But a man of understanding hath wisdom.”, (Proverbs 10:23).

0:23), proclaims folly as “A prudent man conceals knowledge: But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.,” (Proverbs 12:23), mocks at sin saying “Fools make a mock at sin: But among the righteous there is favor.,” (Proverbs 14:9), and are deceitful as “The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: But the folly of fools is deceit.,” (Proverbs 14:8). Fools despise the wisdom found in knowing the God of all wisdom (Proverbs 2:6-8).

Romans 1:18–32 echoes Proverbs’ description of a fool and explains the progression of folly. God has given His wisdom to be found; however, although people “knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles” (Romans 1:21-23). Fools despise wisdom because they willingly exchange the God of the universe for things that are corruptible and temporary. They reject who God is and are ungrateful for what He has done. As a result, God gives fools up to their “shameful lusts” and a “depraved mind” saying, “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:,” (Romans 1:26,28) “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient.“; », (Romans 1:26,28).

Jesus contrasts the foolish with the wise person, saying, “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash” (Matthew 7:24-27). Because fools despise wisdom, they are on a path to destruction (Proverbs 1:32; Proverbs 10:14; Proverbs 18:7). What seems wise in a fool’s own eyes will ultimately fail. Only trusting in God and His wisdom will last.

God wants us to know Him and to live wisely (John 3:16-18; Ephesians 5:15-20; James 4:7-10; 1 Peter 5:6-11). He promises to keep safe those who listen to Him and walk in wisdom (Proverbs 1:33; Proverbs 28:26). If we need wisdom, we should ask God. James 1:5 tells us that He will give it to us willingly and without reproach. Instead of becoming fools who despise wisdom, we can learn to love wisdom by repenting and fearing the Lord, building a foundation on the solid and lasting wisdom of God. Instead of destruction, fools can have hope when they put their faith in Jesus Christ and follow His ways Romans 5:1-5; John 15:1-11; Hebrews 11:1; Hebrews 12:1-2.