Daily Devotional For Tuesday, April 1, 2025

There are times I read the Bible and I can’t help but laugh at the humor in it. Many people see the Bible as just another old boring book, but to me, it comes alive as if being played on some huge Megatrone. One of the many topics in the Bible is the topic of fools and for good reason. For example, the book of Proverbs has many verses about fools. Look at these verses below:

• Proverbs 18:2, "Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions” (NLT).
• Proverbs 1:7, “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline” (NLT).
• Proverbs 18:6, “Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating” (NLT).
• Proverbs 14:16, ”The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence” (NLT).
• Proverbs 14:7-9, “Stay away from fools, for you won’t find knowledge on their lips. (8) The prudent understand where they are going, but fools deceive themselves. (9) Fools make fun of guilt, but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation” (NLT).
• Proverbs 23:9, “Don’t waste your breath on fools, for they will despise the wisest advice” (NLT).
• Proverbs 13:20, “Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble” (NLT).
• Proverbs 3:35, “The wise inherit honor, but fools are put to shame!” (NLT).
• Proverbs 12:15, “Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others” (NLT).
• Proverbs 26:11, “As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness” (NLT).

I could list more. I think you get the point that it is foolish to be a fool. There are times we may get duped and say we can’t believe how foolish we were to fall for whatever it was. Yet, even the most wise and knowledgeable can be duped or tricked into believing something as true when it was or is not true. Take these examples below:

“So, where's spaghetti come from, anyway? Would you believe in a spaghetti farm?! Maybe you wouldn't believe it, but many did. Just ask the thousands of Englishmen duped by a TV special about "spaghetti farming" in northern Italy.The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) pulled off one of history's greatest April Fools' Day pranks some years ago, airing a fake documentary about the annual pasta harvest along the Swiss-Italian border.

BBC commentator Richard Dimbleby described peasant farmers raking spaghetti out of trees, while news footage rolled in the background. Viewers fell for it--hook, line and noodle. The BBC isn't alone in the media for pulling off great April Fools' Day gags. Some other notables: - -A National Public Radio talk show featured impersonator Rich Little pretending to be former President Richard Nixon and announcing his decision to run in the 1992 presidential election. After a number of calls from distressed listeners, the network 'fessed up to the joke.

– A London newspaper, the Daily Mail, reported that a goldfish named George had leaped out of his bowl and taken a bite out of 12-year-old Amanda Baker's hand. The article, which included a picture of the bandaged Mandy, said George was the result of an attempt to breed a male piranha and a female goldfish.

Sports Illustrated ran a spoof, written by George Plimpton, about an aspiring monk named Sidd Finch, who had learned in a Tibetan monastery how to throw a baseball 168 miles per hour (the major-league record is 101). The alleged Mr. Finch, who pitched with one bare foot "for balance," was supposedly granted a tryout with the New York Mets. A writer from The New York Times called Plimpton and asked, "It's not true, is it?" Plimpton dryly replied, "How did you guess?" 

So, if the joke's on you this April 1st, just remember: You're in good company. (By the way, did you know fettuccine grows on shrubs?) – Source: Campus Life Magazine, “Strange World,” Vol. 53, No. 9). 

The Bible also says this about a fool in Psalm 14:1a, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (NLT). Though as believers and disciples of Jesus Christ, we may never actually say that but sometimes our actions seem to convey that. If we really believe there is a heaven and hell, if we believe there is a Judgment Day coming, why would we live as fools and so foolishly? While you may fall for some April Fool’s joke, don’t become one – don’t become a fool. 

In 1994, Good Friday fell on April Fool’s Day. Now think about that for a moment. This Friday is called Good Friday because it marks the anniversary of Jesus' death. But this Friday in 1994 was also called April Fool's Day. Same day. Those who are like the criminal who rejected Jesus may be called the greatest of fools. And those who like the criminal who accepted Jesus may call this Friday the day of salvation, call it good.

Questions To Consider

1. When was the last time you felt so foolish? Why did this happen and what did you do about it?
2. If you could go back in time and change or undo something that was so foolish, what would it be and why?
3. Would the Lord say you are willing to be open to confrontation, to suggestions, to new ideas, or are you closed and defensive? Explain.

Scripture To Meditate On: 1 Corinthians 3:18, “Stop deceiving yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world’s standards, you need to become a fool to be truly wise” (NLT).

Prayer To Pray: “Dear Lord, I want to be wise. I want Your wisdom. I do not want to be foolish or make foolish decisions. As 1 Corinthians 3:18, I want to look foolish to this world because I look to Your wisdom for faith and practice. Lord, You are the source of wisdom and truth. Thank you for helping me with this. I love You Lord, Amen!”

I love you Southside!--PK               Happy April Fool’s Day