There was a time in America when wisdom was valued more than noise.
A man did not have to shout to be heard.
He did not have to insult everybody in the room to prove he was strong.
Character mattered. Humility mattered. Truth mattered.
But somewhere along the road we began confusing confidence with wisdom and power with righteousness.
The Bible has a great deal to say about fools.
Not fools because they lacked education.
Not fools because they were poor.
Not fools because they lacked talent or ability.
The fool in Scripture is often a man of influence.
He may be wealthy.
He may be applauded.
He may sit in high places and command great crowds.
Yet God still calls him a fool.
“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.” — Psalm 14:1 (KJV)
The fool lives as though he answers to no one but himself. Pride becomes his counselor and anger becomes his companion.
“He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool…” — Proverbs 28:26 (KJV)
One of the marks of a fool is that he cannot receive correction.
“Fools despise wisdom and instruction.” — Proverbs 1:7 (KJV)
Tell a wise man the truth and he will stop and examine himself. Tell a fool the truth and he will attack you for saying it.
A fool must always be right.
He cannot endure disagreement.
He surrounds himself with those who praise him and casts aside those who challenge him. He mistakes stubbornness for strength and loudness for leadership.
The Bible warns us about the tongue of a fool.
“A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.” — Proverbs 18:7 (KJV)
“A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.” — Proverbs 29:11 (KJV)
How much trouble in this world has started because men in power could not control their words?
How many wars have been fueled by pride?
How many families destroyed by anger?
How many churches divided because somebody had to win an argument instead of seeking peace?
Now let me say something that many people do not want to hear today:
Just because a man or woman is a chosen leader does not mean they are wise.
A president can be a fool.
A senator can be a fool.
A preacher can be a fool.
A church member can be a fool.
Being elected by people does not mean approved by God.
Israel once demanded a king and received Saul. The people shouted while heaven grieved. Leadership chosen by crowds is not always leadership guided by wisdom.
Some folks treat political leaders almost like messiahs now. They defend everything said, everything done, every insult, every outburst, every act of pride. But the child of God must remember this:
Our loyalty belongs first to Christ, not to political parties or personalities.
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom…” — Proverbs 9:10 (KJV)
That is where wisdom starts.
Not in Washington.
Not in television studios.
Not on social media.
Not in applause from crowds.
Wisdom begins when a man bows his knee before God and realizes he is not the center of the universe.
The wise man listens.
The fool rages.
The wise man seeks peace.
The fool stirs division.
The wise man receives correction.
The fool despises it.
The wise man controls his tongue.
The fool is controlled by his tongue.
One of the saddest verses in all the Bible says:
“As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.” — Proverbs 26:11 (KJV)
Without humility and repentance, a fool keeps repeating the same destruction over and over again.
America does not simply need stronger leaders.
America needs wiser leaders.
And wisdom will never come until men once again fear God more than they fear losing elections, followers, influence, or power.
This old country preacher has lived long enough to know something:
A nation can survive weak leaders for a while.
But no nation survives proud and foolish leadership forever.
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