"Doing wickedness is like sport to a fool (Proverbs 10:23), and "he who spreads slander is a fool." (Proverbs 10:18) Wanton pursuit of the "lusts of deceit" and a lying tongue are the trademarks of the kesil fool. This episode unpacks this deadly combination, particularly focusing on a tongue commandeered by wickedness. This fool's mind is consumed by lusts (Ecclesiastes 7:4), and the lust for reputation ("the boastful pride of life") produces many casualties via lying, slander, gossip and dissention. In the dog-eat-dog world of the fool, slander and destructive gossip are counter-intuitively the means of preserving reputation: incited negative attention on competitors deflects from the plots of the fool. So the Proverbs connects slander with concealment: "He who conceals hatred has lying lips, and he who spreads slander is a fool." (Proverbs 10:18) No one is safe, for even "the companion of fools will suffer harm." (Proverbs 13:20) The episode notes that believers, as recovering fools, have an advantage. We know the dynamics of fooldom since all of us are still being delivered from the "lusts of deceit." The program admonishes believers to challenge residing sympathy with the deeds of the flesh, particularly sins of the mouth that often get a pass, in light of the usual suspects of immorality and sensuality.
Take the ‘Fooldom’ Inventory!
This episode sets out criteria for determining if one is a fool and invites the listener to honestly assess where he or she lies on the spectrum of "fooldom." The first test is how do you respond to self-evident truths. Are you correctible or do you tend to double-down, rationalize, or call into question the applicability of the Word of God to your life? Regarding the latter, "fools despise wisdom and instruction" (Proverbs 1:7), and "he who hates correction is stupid." (Proverbs 12:1) Secondly, is the objective of life honoring God in gratitude, or is it mostly about satisfying desires? The episode distinguishes God-given desires from lusts, which amount to an idolatrous pursuit of desires without regard for the honor of God and neighbor. Interestingly, the result of partaking of the divine nature is escaping "the corruption that is in the world by lust." (2 Peter 1:4) Eternal life is not a repudiation of God-given desires, but rather a "renegotiation" where expression of desire is subordinated to love of God and neighbor. The above 2 criteria, based on Romans 1:18-23, help believers assess where they are on the spectrum of "fooldom."