April Fool’s Day
April 1 or April Fools’ Day is a tradition marked by practical jokes. Notable practical jokes have appeared on radio and TV stations, newspapers, web sites, and have even been done in large crowds or gatherings. BBC television program Panorama ran a hoax in 1957, purporting to show the Swiss harvesting spaghetti from trees. They claimed that the despised pest, the spaghetti weevil, had been eradicated. A large number of people contacted the BBC wanting to know how to cultivate their own spaghetti trees.
But what is the origin of April Fool’s Day and what does the bible have to say about it?
Origin
April Fools’ Day resembles the Roman Holiday of Hilaria that was celebrated by worshippers from two pagan cults. Isis-Osiris Cybele-Attis. To celebrate their gods and the summer equinox the Romans would disguise themselves, play games and make fun of others, especially through imitation.
Ok but how does this all connect to the bible?
What does the Bible say about foolishness?
It’s not about intelligence. Some of the smartest people in man’s eyes are counted as fools in God’s eyes. Foolishness is lack of applied knowledge or wisdom. It is also rejecting God and His ways.
Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. Proverbs 9:10
How does the bible describe a fool?
A fool is complacent and over confident.
Proverbs 1:32 says ‘The complacency of fools will destroy them.’ Complacency brings to mind Inaction and procrastination leading to negative things. Biblically it carries a meaning closer to self-satisfaction, feeling so good about ourselves we don’t need God.
A wise man fears and departs from evil, But a fool rages and is self-confident. Proverbs 14:16 (NKJV)[1]
A fool speaks poorly of others.
Hiding hatred makes you a liar; slandering others makes you a fool. Proverbs 10:18
A fool vents rage.
A fool is quick-tempered, but a stays calm when insulted. Proverbs 12:16
Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back. Proverbs 29:11
A fool seeks evil.
Doing wrong is fun for a fool, but living wisely brings pleasure to the sensible. Proverbs 10:23
“For My people are foolish, and do not know Me. They are stupid children, who have no understanding. They are clever enough at doing wrong, but they have no idea how to do right.” Jeremiah 4:22
A fool has a poor legacy.
The wise inherit honor, But shame shall be the legacy of fools. Proverbs 3:35
The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish pulls it down with her hands. Proverbs 14:1
A fool doesn’t serve God.
A foolish nation has dishonored your name. Psalm 74:18b
Only fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and their actions are evil. Not one of them does good! Psalm 14:1
I’ll close with these two thoughts. First, the obvious: denying God’s existence or rejecting His ways is the ultimate foolishness. The second thought is just as foolish. For a believer in Christ to spew anger, chase evil works, gossip, or just live in a place where we are self-reliant, not actively seeking God’s wisdom is to live like a fool.
*Repent – Restore – Rely*
Repent of our foolish behavior. Restore ourselves to living by God’s ways through following biblical instruction. Rely upon Him through prayer again. These are the solutions to foolishness.
Happy April Fool’s Day.
--- [1] All scriptures are New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.