My grandson (2 years old) loves to have his Granna sing the wise man/foolish man song to him. Lately, each time he visits he goes directly to the giant LEGO blocks we have for the grandkids to play with, to get Granna to build a “house” for him to demolish when she gets to the words, “And the foolish man’s house went, SPLAT!” (Giggle, giggle, then do it all again).
Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:24-27, paraphrased in the song, teach significant truths that both children and adults need to learn. Consider what Jesus said:
“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”
What characterizes true wisdom? First, wisdom is inextricably tied to, but distinct from knowledge. It is the prudent application of the knowledge you have. If you don’t have knowledge, you can’t be wise. If you don’t use your knowledge with proper discernment, the knowledge itself is insufficient to ensure proper action.
In contrast, foolishness is seen in those who either lack knowledge, or refuse to limit themselves to what they know to be right or true. The book of Proverbs often contrasts the wise man to the fool. “The wise in heart will receive commands, but a prating fool will fall” (10:8). “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise” (12:15). “A wise man fears and departs from evil, but a fool rages and is self-confident” (14:16). “Rebuke is more effective for a wise man than a hundred blows on a fool” (17:10).
From these things, it is important to note that a wise man is one who accepts God’s will as authoritative and to be obeyed. It is foolish to think we do not have the responsibility to be obedient to God.
In our day we have many foolish people. They mock at sin. “Fools mock at sin, but among the righteous there is favor” (14:9). They claim to be Christians, but refuse to accept God’s will as authoritative in their lives. They champion immorality, ignoring God’s righteous judgment, “that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them” (Romans 1:32).
The next time you come across a professed “Christian” who ignores what the Bible teaches about the sanctity of life (cf. Genesis 1:27) to advocate for abortion; who ignores what the Bible teaches about marriage (cf. Hebrews 13:4) to justify pre-marital or extra-marital sex; who ignores what the Bible teaches about sodomy (cf. 1 Corinthians 16:9-10) to champion the LGBTQ+ agenda; who ignores the warning of Jesus (cf. Matthew 7:21-23) as they embrace the traditions of men; recognize that you have come across a foolish man.
While children may giggle as they demolish a LEGO house, in reality, floods destroying a home is a tragedy. Spiritually, a man who hears God’s word, but does not obey Him, suffers a great calamity. The foolish man’s spiritual house fell, “And great was its fall.”
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