"BEHOLD, I HAVE PLAYED THE FOOL"
Many have played the fool, but how man actually acknowledge it?

INTRODUCTION
Saul was king of Israel, but God had told him that he had been rejected as king because of his disobedience. 1 Samuel 15:17-23.
A successor to Saul had already been selected by the Lord.
He was David, the son of Jesse.
Saul was envious of David and sought to take his life.
One night, David, guided by the Lord, slipped into Saul's camp; but instead of killing Saul, which he could have easily done, he took Saul's spear, to prove to Saul that he could have taken his life if he had desired to do so.
So, when Saul was confronted with the facts the next morning, he said:
"I have sinned: return, my son David; for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool." 1 Samuel 26:21.
Yes, Saul was very foolish on many occasions, which is one reason God rejected him as king.
But Saul had one redeeming quality: he knew and admitted his foolishness.
Many people today refuse to recognize their foolish course and they continue to pursue it.
Others recognize how foolish their actions are, but persist in them.
If the truth were told by all today, I am convinced that there are many who would have to make the admission:
"I have played the fool!"
It is beyond me how anyone, with any intelligence at all, can think the universe "just happened."
The order and the system that is evident in all fields of science surely speak of a designer.
Whether in dealing with an atom or the solar system, similar design and functions give evidence of God.
The truth is that because they do not want to be held to the standard God wants of them, it is easier for them to declare “There is no God”.

THE ATHIEST IS PLAYING THE FOOL WHEN HE REJECTS GOD AND HIS WORD.
Romans 1:20 “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse”.
Psalm 19:1 “The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands”.
Psalm 14:1 “The fool has said in his heart, ‘there is no God’. They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds”.
Surely, only a fool would argue against such statements as are given in the above scriptures.
Throughout the history of man, the truth of Jeremiah 10:23 has been evident. “I know, O Lord, that a man’s way is not in himself; Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps”.
But, in spite of this scripture, man tries to direct his own steps.
He attempts to devise his own way and establish his own plan of morality.
By doing so, he fulfills the statement made by Solomon in Proverbs 12:15 “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel”.
By rejecting God's guidance, man is sure to become more animal-like in all of his actions.
God has always offered guidance to man, but He doesn't force anyone to follow it. He leaves the choice up to man.
Look at: 2 Timothy 3:16,17.
Jesus Christ, the spokesman of God in this day and time, is the subject of the statement found in Heb. 1:1,2.
He also said "He that heareth you heareth me; and he that rejecteth you rejecteth me; and he that rejecteth me rejecteth him that sent me." Luke 10:16.
That message, given by Jesus to the apostles, is the word of God.
Note what is said in: 1 Thessalonians 2:13 “And for this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received from us the word of God’s message, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe”.
That message is given through Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life. John 14:6.
So, how foolish it is to reject the word of God, His guide for us from earth to heaven.

THE DISOBEDIENT IS PLAYING THE FOOL WHEN HE REJECTS THE COMMANDS OF GOD.
When king Saul disobeyed God, He was told he was rejected by God 1 Samuel 15:1-22.
God has always demanded obedience from man, from Eden until the present time.
In fact, Solomon gives us this information in no uncertain terms: Ecclesiastes 12:13.
All the great heroes of faith, mentioned in Heb. 11, did what God told them to do.
And the Lord still asks today: "Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things that I say?" Luke 6:46.
Look at what God tells us in: 1 Peter 1:22 “Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart”.
James 1:21,22. “Therefore putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves”.
Truly, one who hears without doing is deceiving himself; he is therefore foolish.
The only way we can show love and respect for God is by doing what He tells us.
As Jesus said in John 14:15, "If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments."
And note also: 1 John 5:3 “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome”.
When one tries to claim the blessings of God before doing His will, such can truly say: "I have played the fool."

THE SELFISH PERSON IS PLAYING THE FOOL.
When John's disciples came asking Jesus if He were the Christ, note Jesus' answer: Matthew 11:4,5 “And Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Go report to John what you hear and see: the blind receive sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them”.
The life of Jesus was a life of service to his fellowman.
Note what He told His apostles in Matthew 20:28 “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many”.
After He had washed the feet of the disciples, note what He said to them in John 13:15 “For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you”.
He healed, He taught, and He comforted.
In answer to the lawyer's question, "Who is my neighbor?" Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan. Luke 10:30-37.
Love for one's neighbor requires caring, helping and serving his needs.
Note what Paul says in: Galatians 6:1-10.
It is so easy to get so wrapped up in ourselves, in our own lives and in our own problems, that we neglect the cries for help that sound out around us.
We are told that one who is wrapped up in himself makes a very small package.
We need to learn the lesson that is found in Romans 14:7.
Truly, we are our brother's keeper, Genesis 4:9, and our lives must show it.
In view of eternity, any other way of life is indeed foolish.

HE WHO TRUSTS IN THE MATERIAL THINGS OF THIS WORLD IS PLAYING THE FOOL.
I'm afraid that we still haven't learned the truth of what Jesus is teaching in Luke 12:15-21.
We work and we struggle to save and hoard a little of this world's goods, then it is gone, and/or we are gone.
Really, what have we accomplished?
Solomon says that it is just "striving after the wind." Ecclesiastes 1:14,17.
Hosea tells us if we "sow the wind, we will reap the whirlwind." Hosea 8:7.
We must learn to trust in, and to seek after, the spiritual things.
Jesus said: "Lay up treasures in heaven..." Matthew 6:19.
This must be more than words to us, it must become a way of life.
What if we do gain much of this world's goods, what then?
Jesus asks the question: "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" Matthew 16:26.
How foolish it is to spend a lifetime in pursuit of THINGS which must then be left behind when we depart this life.
But, Paul shows the wisdom of living a true life of Christianity.
Note what he says in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.
Only fools trust in those things that soon perish.
It is said that he that works only for the things of this life is smart for a little while but is a fool forever.
The Christian puts his trust in the spiritual things which are eternal.

TO BLAME OTHERS FOR OUR OWN MISTAKES IS TO PLAY THE FOOL.
This type of thing started with Adam and even in the Garden. Genesis 3:12.
Man has been "passing the buck" ever since.
Mr. Truman had a sign on his desk that said: "The buck stops here."
Aaron tried to excuse himself for making an idol, a golden calf, by trying to place the blame on the people. Exodus 32:22-24.
Saul tried to place the blame for not completing his job of fully destroying the Amalekites on the people. Even though he was the king responsible for such. 1 Samuel 15:15
Some complain, "No one likes me." If it is true, one should read; Proverbs 18:24 “A man of many friends comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother”.
In other words, if you don't have any friends, you should take a long look at yourself for the reason.
Thomas Edison is reported to have said that his many inventions were the result of "ninety-nine percent perspiration and one percent inspiration."
Success, or if you want to call it "luck", will usually follow the one who prepares the best and works the hardest.
And those who do not prepare themselves and refuse to put forth real effort are often the ones who cry loudest about the cruel lot in life which is theirs.
Jesus has said, "Lo, I am with you alway, even to the end of the world." Matthew 28:20.
But that doesn't mean He will do for us what He tells us to do for ourselves.
Good fortune comes to the one prepared in his mind.
One day, each one of us will stand before the judgment bar of God to give an account. Romans 14:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10.
We had better prepare for that day.
If we fail that test, we cannot blame God, or Christ or our fellowmen.
Yes, it is very foolish to blame someone else for our failures.
If we are lost eternally we can blame no one but ourselves.
We need to now accept the responsibility for what we do or fail to do.
For, in that final day, we will have to.

CONCLUSION
Not every instance of being a fool is considered bad.
Even Paul said “we are fools for Christ sake”
1 Corinthians 4:10
That is just because the world considers us fools for our demonstration of our faith.
But most of the time, being a fool is not good.
Do not be found to be a fool for the wrong reason.

By Carey Scott based on an outline by Jim Sasser

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