Fools and Bullies

Introduction

But for the grace of God, every one of us has been both a fool and a bully—especially in our BC (Before Christ) years. Scripture is explicit about the fool: “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (Psalm 14:1 ESV). By biblical definition, the denial of God is not merely an intellectual error; it is moral folly. In this sense, atheism reflects the posture of the fool as described in Scripture.

The bully, however, is of a different kind. He demands that all things conform to his will, and he achieves this through intimidation and force. He is an oppressor, a scoffer, and often a violent man. While a bully is not always a fool, the two share overlapping traits. A bully may acknowledge the existence of God, yet he regards that truth as a weakness. He will conceal or exploit it, revealing belief only when it serves his own interests.

The bully craves control. He must always be right. He mocks those who refuse to follow him and elevates himself above others. He pushes, provokes, antagonizes, shouts, and argues. Those who disagree are reduced to pawns—objects to be manipulated rather than neighbors to be loved. Scripture repeatedly condemns such behavior, warning that pride, oppression, and scoffing are marks of the unrighteous.

A fool requires no followers. A bully does.

In this paper, I will examine both the Fool and the Bully through the lens of Scripture, seeking to understand their nature—and, by God’s grace, the redemption from both.

Fools

There are two things fools say:

     1. There is no God or disregards the fact that there is a God. “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.” Psalms 14:1 and Psalms 53:1 and

     2. Take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry. “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” But God said to him, Fool!” Luke 12: 20 ESV

In addition:

• “…fools despise instruction and correction” (Proverbs 1:7),
• Fools speak rashly and without restraint, “a fool’s mouth pours out folly” Proverbs 15:2
• Fools are self-deceived. “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes.” Proverbs 15:2

The foolish disobey God’s commands, acting with arrogance and pride. His defining trait is rejection of God’s wisdom and authority. They may believe there is a God, but “They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.” Proverbs 1:7  ESV. When we sin, we are acting foolishly and behaving like a fool.

Looking at these attributes alone, it is interesting to note that Satan is not a fool. We misrepresent the power of evil when we think he is a fool. He is the ruler of this world and no fool. He knows there is a God. Wanting to be like Him, he entices others to follow, thereby pulling mankind to their demise.

Nabal (Kesil) of 1 Samuel 25 and 2 Samuel 2 and 3, was a fool – his name reflects thus. Reading these Scriptures will attest to this message.

Key Characteristics of a Fool

• Lack of Understanding: A fool takes no pleasure in understanding but only in expressing opinions.
• Recklessness: Fools are often reckless and careless, leading to their own ruin.
• Mockery of Wisdom: Fools despise wisdom and instruction, often mocking those who seek knowledge.

Proverbs 26: 4-5 reflect:

“Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.” ESV

The point in Prov. 26:4-5 is that you cannot reason with a fool, because you would have to reason with him on his own level, and this would force you to become a fool yourself. If you don’t answer him according to his folly, he thinks he is as wise as you are. If you do answer according to his own folly, he thinks you are a fool, as he is, so your reasoning is defeated. The only hope in such a case is the rod of Prov. 26:3. “A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools”.

“A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.” Proverbs 18:2 ESV

How Christians Become Fools

When we “act out” in our conversations—especially during conflict—and insist on projecting a macho persona, we slip into folly. In our eagerness to prove a point, we exaggerate, posture, and perform, becoming someone we were never meant to be. Scripture warns that such behavior is not wisdom but pride, for the fool is quick to speak and slow to listen. Even the rebuttals of Christians can be foolish. In seeking to show that we know best, we often reveal the opposite. The following Scriptures attest to this behavior.

I cite four Scriptures below because the roll of a fool is so often misunderstood when we give vent to our righteousness, our experiences, and our knowledge to prove a point of defend our position. Remember, as I have always said, when we start defending ourselves, we have usually lost the argument.

“A fool gives full vent to his spirit (not His Spirit), but a wise man quietly holds it back” Proverbs 29:11 ESV

“If a wise man argues with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.” Proverbs 29:9 ESV

“Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.” Matthew 7:6 ESV

“Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the good sense of your words.” Proverbs 23:9 RSV

For a vivid illustration of a Christian fool, imagine a distorted and irreverent scenario. Picture Jesus, frequently challenged by the Pharisees, responding with arrogance: “Do not speak to Me that way. I stood before Satan himself on a mountaintop—do you really think you can intimidate Me?”

This portrayal is intentionally jarring because it is profoundly unbiblical. Yet, regrettably, I have seen professing Christians behave in precisely this manner—speaking with pride, defensiveness, and self-importance while invoking their spiritual experiences as a shield. Even more troubling, other Christians within earshot may observe such behavior and conclude that it is acceptable. Scripture warns us that folly is not only practiced but also propagated when it is left unchallenged.

There is only one solution in response to a fool’s attack.

“Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge.”  Proverbs 14:7 ESV

Bullies

The term bully does not appear in today’s Bible. However, the Bible clearly condemns those who intentionally dominate, intimidate and exploit others – especially the weak – those that are weaker than him.

Key Characteristics:

     1. He uses power to oppress.

“In arrogance, the wicked hotly pursue the poor; let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised.” Psalms 10:2 ESV

     2. He takes pleasure in causing harm

“Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath. Proverbs 29:8 ESV

     3. He employs threats, violence, or coercion.

“Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.” Proverbs 22:24-25 ESV

     4. He shows contempt for justice and mercy.

“Woe to those who decree iniquitous decrees, and the writers who keep writing oppression.” Isaiah 10:1 ESV

The Bully’s Problem

Think about this. The bully’s problem is externalized sin – the willful misuse of strength, position, or speech to dominate others. His actions are deliberate and exploitative.

Key Differences

More

The fool may become a bully if his pride hardens into cruelty, as in the “hardening of the heart” often mentioned in Scripture. Likewise, a bully is often also a fool in God’s eyes.

“Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, Proverbs 14:31 ESV

Both stand under God’s judgment unless they repent, but Scripture treats oppression with a particular severity:

“The LORD tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.” Psalms 11:5 ESV

How Fools and Bullies Came About

The answer is not difficult to discern. Scripture provides a clear framework: body + spirit = soul. In Genesis, we are told that God breathed into man the breath of life, and man became a living soul (Genesis 2:7, KJV). This breath was not the Spirit of God Himself, but the spirit of man, created by God and imparted to humanity so that man might live as a conscious, moral being.

We know this was not the Spirit of God because, at the Fall, man’s spirit became subject to the body and enslaved to the lusts of the flesh. The Spirit of God cannot be corrupted or brought into bondage. Instead, darkness overcame the spirit of man, and separation from God followed. As Scripture testifies, this condition gave rise to both foolishness and bullying—expressions of pride, domination, and moral blindness born of a fallen nature. This spirit of man became dead.

Yet this is not the end of the matter. At the New Birth, the (dead) spirit of man is reintroduced to the Spirit of God and awakened. As a person yields and submits to the Spirit of God, the spirit of man begins its transformation. From this surrender flows the renewal process described in Scripture—the renewing of the mind, and the restoration of the soul and spirit. It is through this work that a person is truly Born Again (John 3:3; Romans 12:2), no longer ruled by darkness, but increasingly conformed to the truth and character of God.

Summary

• A fool rejects God’s wisdom and lives recklessly.
• A bully knowingly uses power to harm others.
• The fool sins primarily through ignorance and pride.
• The bully sins through willful injustice and domination.

Biblically, the fool is warned; the bully is restrained; both are called to repentance under the authority of God’s righteous judgment.

Conclusion

Beware of becoming either a fool or a bully. To say, “I will never go there,” is itself a form of folly. Temptation often arrives without warning, and it is easy to justify unwise behavior under the guise of self-defense or the defense of others. Scripture makes clear that arguments are never profitable for a child of God. In the end, it matters little whether you are right or wrong.

Stop! Leave if you must. The fool and the bully insist on arguing, but the child of God chooses to love.

Put God first in all things. When you come before Him in prayer, do not fixate on His provisions—healing, prosperity, or human relationships—as though they were primary. These are blessings, but they are secondary, the icing on the cake. Ninety percent of all prayer is “I want” of some form, and we use scripture to back up our desires. Almighty God is indeed our Provider and Protector, yet our relationship with Him, and our conduct toward others, must come first. As Jesus taught, “Seek first the Kingdom of God… and then all these things will be added.”

Enough Said

“Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16 ESV