Let’s Not Be Foolish About The Word Fool

Now I know why Jesus said He didn’t want us calling anyone a
fool.* Only He knows what’s in a person’s heart. We only know a person’s
outward behavior, while Jesus knows the entire inventory of their heart.

* Matthew 5:22 (English Standard Version)
22But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his
brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable
to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of
fire.

If you feel as though the word fool is a harmless word, you
might want to take a look to see how the word is used in the Bible. It’s not
like calling someone a goofball or something innocuous like that. It’s actually
quite harsh. Not that name-calling is ever good. Let’s not have foolish things
in our hearts and certainly, we should never have a reason to call someone a
fool. Fool is a very judgmental word and so are lots of other words used
carelessly in our language. So we should try to watch what we say. And not use
judgmental language. Be nice, be generous with your smiles, and use language to
build up and not break down=)

Here are some examples of the Bible meaning of the word fool.

Psalm 14:1
The Hebrew word for fool in Psalms denotes one who is morally deficient. The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.
Psalms 14 - Whole Chapter

Psalm 107:17
Some became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered affliction because of their iniquities.
Psalms 107 - Whole Chapter

Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
Proverbs 1 - Whole Chapter

Proverbs 13:19
A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil.
Proverbs 13 - Whole Chapter

Proverbs 14:16
A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless.
Proverbs 14 - Whole Chapter

Proverbs 14:17
A quick-tempered man does foolish things, and a crafty man is hated.
Proverbs 14 - Whole Chapter

Proverbs 15:5
A fool spurns his father's discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.
Proverbs 15 - Whole Chapter

Proverbs 15:20
A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.
Proverbs 15 - Whole Chapter

Proverbs 18:2
A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions.
Proverbs 18 - Whole Chapter

Proverbs 18:6
A fool's lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.
Proverbs 18 - Whole Chapter

Proverbs 26:11
As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.
Proverbs 26 - Whole Chapter

Proverbs 29:9
If a wise man goes to court with a fool, the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace.
Proverbs 29 - Whole Chapter

Proverbs 29:11
A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.
Proverbs 29 - Whole Chapter

Ecclesiastes 5:4
When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow.
Ecclesiastes 5 - Whole Chapter

Isaiah 32:6
For the fool speaks folly, his mind is busy with evil: He practices ungodliness and spreads error concerning the LORD ; the hungry he leaves empty and from the thirsty he withholds water.
Isaiah 32 - Whole Chapter

2 Timothy 2:23
Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.
Timothy 2 - Whole Chapter

Mark 16 :: 11-20
11When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it.
12Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. 13These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either.
14Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.
15He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. 16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."
19After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.