KJV and NKJV Scripture
– He shall die for lack of instruction, and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray. – Proverbs 5:23
– But they shall proceed no further for their folly shall be manifest unto all – as theirs also was. – 2 Timothy 3:9
Folly means a lack of good sense or judgement. Even if folly is only in thought or idea, it births foolish and irresponsible words and behavior. It’s not a very wise way to live as Christians. God is the way of life to those who keep His instructions. Folly is refusing to in err (lead verse, Proverbs 10:17, James 1:16).
Since we were children we have all known the Holy Scriptures given by God’s inspiration. The Bible is able to make us wise unto salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. It is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and righteous instruction (2 Timothy 3:15-16). Ignoring or forgetting any part of it is folly.
God’s Word is full of stories about folly and no one is ever immune from it. Israel often found themselves wound up in folly, and so can Christians who aren’t diligent and sober at all times. Our Father tells us to take constant heed as to what is filling up our souls (Deuteronomy 4:9, Luke 6:45, Philippians 4:6-7).
The world produces folly – but the Word prevents it. However, common sense can be lacking in believers just as much as it is in unbelievers. Folly is not fully acknowledging God in all our ways, but leaning on our own understanding of how life in the world and Word is supposed to “work out” for us (Proverbs 3:5-6).
If things seem to be going pretty much the way we want in life or with the Lord, it is easy to become wise and prudent in our own eyes. God warns of woe to those who become like this (Isaiah 5:21). If we ever profess to be wise with mouth or in mind, we become fools, vain in our own imagination (Romans 1:21-22)
This is when problems can suddenly arise without warning. Causing major headaches and rough rides never imagined because folly blinded our minds from seeing God’s wisdom. Our craftiness initiated the situation, not Him (1 Corinthians 3:19). Our Father’s foolishness is wiser than man (1 Corinthians 1:25).
Folly is present in a Christian when they are still filled with their own will and ways. This is why believers backslide (Proverbs 14:14). It’s not repenting as God commands, but repeating old worldly behavior. It is not faith, but a dangerous drawing back from it, and He has no pleasure in such people (Hebrews 10:38).
Folly breeds ungodliness. It is spiritual indiscretion instead of discipline. It’s impatience and imprudence, instead of tolerance and truth. Blessing and cursing spring forth from the same mouths (James 3:9-12). Hasty spirits are a folly hallmark, and anger rests in foolish bosoms (Proverbs 14:29, Ecclesiastes 7:9).
When folly exists, it is not walking circumspectly with God. It is not understanding what His will is, nor is it redeeming the evil days wisely (Ephesians 5:15-17). Instead, folly is a readiness and willingness within a Christian to sin without care, even though there will never be another sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 10:26).
When folly persists, it is a forerunner to falling away from repentance, from which it impossible for God to renew a person to. Each unconfessed, uncleansed, and uncorrected act of folly hangs Jesus Christ back on the Cross. It puts Him to open shame (Hebrews 6:4-6), and leads to a bad ending (2 Peter 2:20-22).
When folly resists God it fosters apostasy, a total abandonment of belief in the soul, despite any lip service claims to the contrary (Mark 7:6). Apostasy will be part of man’s last days (2 Timothy 3:1). Folly will fill pulpits and pews as people learn a lot about God, but not knowledge of His truth (2 Timothy 3:7).
Christians have enough to stand fast in the faith, and withstand in the evil day, without wading into polluted pools of foolishness. Doing so is making a decision to remove any section of God’s armor – giving plenty of place to Satan, and lots of space for his fiery darts of folly to land (Ephesians 4:27, Ephesians 6:13-17).
Once they ignite and start burning brightly inside a Christian, they become a fool if they still profess to be following the steps of Jesus. Instead, they’ve turned aside after the devil (1 Timothy 5:15), and departed the living God with an evil heart of unbelief (Hebrews 3:12-19). Foolishness rules in the soul once again.
Apostates have strayed too far from Jesus in the greatness of their folly. They have refused to heed heavenly instruction (lead verse). Even though they were once returned to the Shepherd of their souls (1 Peter 2:25), they’ve fallen from their steadfastness to wander off in err with the wicked one (2 Peter 3:17).
Regardless of what godly or spiritual words they may speak, apostates hold God’s truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18). They serve and worship the creature more than the Creator. It is evidenced by such traits as pride, boasting, backbiting, and loving pleasure more than God (Romans 1:25-32, 2 Timothy 3:2-4).
God is long-suffering towards all, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). However, continuing in any folly is not repenting according to His Word and command. It is not obeying Christ’s voice (Luke 6:46, John 10:27). It’s climbing to heaven the wrong way (John 10:1).
Christian folly does not do anything to light the path of the lost, except lead them into foolishness of their own. This is not the message of the Cross. All folly keeps believers following this world, loving its things, and falling for Satan’s lies. It keeps one lustful and prideful, with no godly love inside (1 John 1:15-16).
As Matthew Henry once alluded to, “People who practice or prefer folly as Christians are still those of corrupt minds. Prejudiced against the Word’s truth, and found to be without faith, just so they can keep on doing what they want in life. Perverting Scripture – even if in their mind – to do so (Galatians 1:6-7).
Henry continues, “They follow every new notion, get swayed with every wind of doctrine, and become deceived into thinking they’re acquiring knowledge of God – when they’re not. Because they are too easy of belief, ignorant, or fanciful, they never seek the truth of Jesus within them (2 Timothy 3:7).” (end).
Knowing he would be between flesh and Spirit, folly and faith daily (Philippians 1:23), the apostle Paul knew he had not been saved yet (Philippians 3:11-13, Romans 8:24-25). Therefore, he walked along with prudence as he pressed toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Jesus (Philippians 3:14).
Once folly begets apostates, our Father tells us such people will proceed no further (second lead verse). Just as the two Egyptian wizards Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses in their folly (2 Timothy 3:8), folly in a Christian is withstanding His wisdom. A God who’ll give it to all who ask, without upbraiding (James 1:5).
Failing to request it from God is disobedience because folly is still not knowing Him. It remains as a way of thinking about, and walking with God. It has fiery consequences (2 Thessalonians 1:8). Believers can’t endure all He commands until the end to be saved, by continuing in folly (Matthew 24:13, Hebrews 12:20).
Tragically, it seems many have been deceived into thinking they have succeeded in getting to heaven while still living. Propelled safely beyond the Pearly Gates forever by the foolish pride that cast Satan out like lightning long ago (Luke 10:18). Who fell forever from eternity with God by his folly (Isaiah 14:12-15).
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