Why You Should Become a Fool

What if I told you that God wants you to be a fool?

No, I’m not talking about one who rejects God, is destitute of reason, or walks contrary to the truth of God (Psa 14:1).

God wants you to be a fool for Christ’s sake. But what does that mean? Plainly, it means that the world should think you’re a fool for what you preach and what you endure for the sake of that preaching.

Let’s unpack that a bit and search the scriptures for how we can become the right kind of fool.

The first step in becoming a fool for Christ’s sake is to believe and preach Christ’s cross for salvation.

“[18] For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. [19] For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. [20] Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? [21] For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. [22] For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: [23] But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; [24] But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” – 1 Corinthians 1:18-24

To a world that thinks they can be smart enough, righteous enough, or strong enough to be sufficient in themselves, the message of the gospel of Christ is complete foolishness. Being saved freely by grace through faith in Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection is contrary to the wisdom of the world because the world seeks to earn and glory in themselves.

The second step to becoming a proper fool is to live godly and subsequently suffer persecution for Christ’s sake.

“[12] Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” – 2 Timothy 3:12

“[10] We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. [11] Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; [12] And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: [13] Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.” – 1 Corinthians 4:9-13

 These passages aren’t saying go and seek out pain and suffering, but rather, when you choose to value the truth of God more than your own fleshly comfort, you will face challenges.

Just as Christ suffered in order to benefit us, benefiting others in love and truth takes personal suffering and sacrifice. Bearing pain, inconvenience, loss, or distress motivated by the love of Christ so that others can be saved or grow is the definition of charity (1Co 13:4-7).

The world values comfort, convenience, power, praise, and monetary gain. Valuing Christ and enduring worldly loss for the sake of the gospel is foolish to the world. They don’t see the eternal value because they are blind to the truth.

Do you face pushback for the truth of God you believe? Does the truth of God convict you to sacrifice your own pleasure, comfort, or convenience for the sake of others? If not, you’re probably not standing for it and seeking to help others grow in it. You can be saved by God’s grace and suffer very little persecution for your faith, but you will have wasted your life living for yourself and not God.

If you are concerned about pleasing everyone around you and not looking foolish, you’re doing it wrong. We seek to please God not man and when we are saved and live according to the truth of the gospel, most people are going to label you a fool (Gal 1:10).

While it may not feel good to your flesh, being a fool for Christ’s sake is a badge of honor. The world won’t understand you, in fact, they will despise you, but you have the unconditional love of a savior who died the death you deserved and rose again to give you eternal life.