April Fools’ Day often celebrates harmless pranks, but it also reminds us of true foolishness—the kind that leads to eternal peril. Imagine driving on a foggy night and spotting a sign: “Bridge Washed Out Ahead: Turn Around.” Ignoring it would be catastrophic. Who, in their right mind, would press on the gas and speed towards that bridge?
Only a fool!
This metaphor illustrates the Biblical warning against following any “truth” except that of the Creator God. The fool’s path is described in Psalm 14:1:
“The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good.”
It turns out that we are often deluded by our sneaky enemy into being more of a fool than we realize. God is so good to show us in His Word how to be wise. He teaches us how to “turn around” before it’s too late. This April Fool’s message is for me; but it also may be for someone else. So let’s examine what a “fool” looks like according to God’s Word for both the unsaved and the saved.
For the unsaved: The foolishness of rejecting salvation by grace through faith.
This foolish behavior manifests itself by denying God’s existence or by suppressing His truth, as seen in atheism or false religions, which teach salvation through human works. Romans 1:18-22 is one of my favorite passages that exposes the insidious lie of the enemy:
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools.”
A person who denies the existence of God must also deny the knowledge God placed inside them (that He exists) as well as the logic of science that proclaims the impossibility of the existence of such a complex masterpiece as the world we live in—without the existence of a Master Designer. This is often plainly foolish to everyone—except those who hold the belief that denies God’s existence.
Similarly, works-based systems must necessarily ignore the plain meaning of grace. “Grace” is not only unmerited favor, but it, by definition, is unearned. The Bible leaves no room for doubt:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
“not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.” Titus 3:5
“I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.” Galatians 2:21
Jesus made it plain that He alone is our bridge to a relationship with God.
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” John 14:6
Ignoring this truth about salvation leads to death and judgment. Hebrews 9:27 states plainly: “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” Driving off the bridge means hell, or eternal separation from God, a fate sealed without repentance for salvation. Luke 13:3 urges: “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” Repentance is a gift that enables us to turn to Christ and receive His righteousness by faith as explained in 2 Corinthians 5:21: “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
Heeding the warning sign, “bridge washed out, turn around,” for the person who has never been born again, is responding to God’s invitation for salvation here and now:
“Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.” Isaiah 55:6-7
For the Saved: The foolishness of ignoring God’s ways.
Short and simply put, for the born again person, foolishness is demonstrated by failing to live for our divine purpose; that is, for God’s glory.
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31
Every corner of our lifes—how we spend our time and money—should be for the higher purpose of God’s glory. God’s Word teaches us how to live for His glory.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7
“According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” 1 Corinthians 3:10-15
James 1:22-25 gives us a crystal clear call to action:
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”
How do we “do” God’s Word and not just “hear” it? Proverbs 3:5-6 gives us a brilliant application for daily, indeed hourly, living:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
To gauge if we’re driving as a fool or as a wise person, I like to examine where I spend the majority of my time and money. We may spend 8 hours a day at work, and if that work is for God’s glory, then we are living wisely. If the people we come in contact with can see Jesus in us, then we are living wisely. The question we must ask is whether the time and money we are spending each day aligns with eternal priorities like advancing God’s kingdom. Or is it merely an investment in something we will never see again in eternity? Matthew 6:19-21 makes it simple:
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Heeding the warning sign, “bridge washed out, turn around,” for the person who has been born again, is also repentance. For believers, this means turning back to God’s path, restoring fellowship and joy in His presence here on earth. 1 John 1:9 promises:
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
My friend, don’t let the enemy make a fool out of you. God, in His love, wants to give you the ways of His wisdom and the path of His eternal prosperity. Don’t miss that road filled with God’s presence and all the best blessings that come only from Him.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, on this April Fools’ Day, reveal the foolishness of our own ways. Reveal where we’ve strayed, turning us to live for Your glory. Help us today to be investing all our time and resources wisely. Make real to us all Your glorious promises of eternal rewards. Reveal to us the earthly joy of life lived in Your presence. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
