The Fool's Denial: Biblical Wisdom on April Fools' Day and Psalm 14:1 Truth
On April 1st, remember what the Bible says in Psalm 14:1 –The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. This scriptural truth offers a thought-provoking contrast to the cultural celebration of April Fools' Day.
Beyond the Pranks
While today's observance may center around harmless tricks, pranks and practical jokes, God's concept of foolishness cuts much deeper. In Scripture, foolishness isn't about a silly mistake or a joke played on someone – it describes a spiritual blindness that fails to recognize God as powerful Creator (Gen 1:1; Col 1:16), glorious Sustainer (Psalm 3:5) and sovereign Lord (Jer 32:17).
When the psalmist wrote about: "the fool hath said in his heart, There is no God," he wasn't describing intellectual capacity but rather a spiritual posture. The fool isn't someone who lacks intelligence – many brilliant minds throughout history have rejected the Lord Jesus Christ, as God manifest in the flesh. Rather, the biblical fool is one who, despite the evidence of creation, the inner witness of their conscience, and the gospel witness sent to them proclaiming the good news of God's grace, chooses to live as though our Creator God doesn't exist.
Cultural Context
Today's world often celebrates intellectual independence and skepticism. People are taught to question everything and trust only what can be measured, proven and tested in a laboratory. While critical thinking is valuable, it has also led many people to dismiss God as the giver of life, and the one who has designed us with a unique purpose to serve Him.
Only a fool would look at the intricate design of the universe, the complexity of DNA, all the order that points to an Orderer, and say in his heart: there is no God. The Bible, from beginning to end, is a truth declaration that God He is the Creator.
Colossians 1:16-17 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
You can't put God in a laboratory test tube. It would be blasphemous to think you could. Instead, He offers truth declarations of who He is. Man is free to accept God's truth or to "hold the truth in unrighteousness." (Rom 1:18)
Wisdom vs. Foolishness
Scripture contrasts the fool not with the genius but with the wise person. Biblical wisdom begins with "the fear of the Lord" – a reverent recognition of God in all things.
Psalm 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom:
This wisdom doesn't require exceptional intelligence or education. It's available to anyone humble enough to acknowledge that we don't have all the answers and open enough to consider the things of God.
On this April Fools' Day, we might consider how easily we can become foolish in the biblical sense – not by falling for a practical joke, but by living as though we are the center of the universe, as though our limited perspective captures all truth and all reality. True wisdom begins with humility, and with acknowledging that there is a God, and He should be reverently feared.
Proverbs 15:33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.