©Joy Dunlap https://joydunlap.com
April Fools’ Day is a day rife with practical jokes, pranks and misleading comments and tasks. While scholars may debate the origin, most agree that by the 18th century it had become an accepted tradition in Britain.
Anyone who’s gone on a “snipe hunt” at a summer camp may be interested to know that historians tell us that “hunting the gowk” became a Scottish tradition on April Fools’ Day. In case you’re wondering, the gowk is another word for cuckoo bird. If you’re unfamiliar with snipe hunts that’s when a gullible person is sent to find and capture a creature that isn’t there, and they are tricked into making certain noises or waiting in the dark to lure the snipe. While snipe hunts aren’t restricted to April Fools’ Day, it’s an interesting connection to make with the Scottish activity. Incidentally, snipes are real birds but the quest to catch one at summer camps is what one might call a “fool’s errand.”
Businesses sometimes use April Fools’ Day to promote marketing ploys that capture nationwide or international attention. Taco Bell once claimed to have purchased the Liberty Bell; they later donated money to its preservation. Left-handed toilet paper, spaghetti crops growing on trees and the demolition of the Space Needle in Seattle are among hoaxes that found their place in history.
Notably, most April Fools’ Day hoaxes contain just enough truth to make them seem viable and realistic for the unsuspecting person who is the mark. Isn’t that the way most of us get tricked?
Several Bible verses separate the wise and the fools by their actions and attitudes. Let’s take a look at God’s truth as it shows us the differences.
The wise respect God and welcome His truth.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7 NIV
The wise delight their parents with their choices and actions.
A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother. Proverbs 10:1b NIV
The wise embrace happiness found in God’s Word and by walking in His Way.
A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes, but a person of understanding delights in wisdom. Proverbs 10:23 NIV
The wise welcome godly counsel.
The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice. Proverbs 12:15 NIV
The wise practice forgiveness and forbearance.
Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult. Proverbs 12:16 NIV
The wise live life with those who help them grow in goodness and God’s wisdom.
Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. Proverbs 13:20 NIV
The wise work to build a legacy and avoid actions that can topple it.
The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. NIV
The wise avoid boasting and bragging.
A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride, but the lips of the wise protect them. Proverbs 14:3 NIV
The wise realize the need to avoid evil and to praise God but the fool either incorrectly feels impervious to temptation or lacks control.
The wise fear the Lord and shun evil, but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure. Proverbs 14:16 NIV
The wise listen and learn from God’s truth, and the insight of others.
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Proverbs 18:2 NIV
The wise know that quiet words with conviction resonate more than boisterous boasting and bullying.
The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools. Ecclesiastes 9:17 NIV
The wise realize that personal repentance and renewal also stimulate compassion toward others who stumble as well as connection with those pursuing righteousness.
Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright. Proverbs 14:9 NIV
- What April Fools’ Day prank do you remember playing on someone or having played on you? Or is there a practical joke from another time that comes to mind?
- Would you consider yourself gullible? If so or not, why?
- Which of the 12 comparisons between the wise and the fools have you solidly on the side of the wise? How about ones you’re not so steady in? Are there any you struggle with?
- In what ways would you like to become more wise as God’s truth defines it in these? Select a couple to work on this month!
- How strong is your foundation of faith? Read the passage below and the entire chapter of Matthew 7.
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law. Matthew 7:24-29 NIV
Remember…
Life is Better When It’s Full – Joy-full, Thank-full, Purpose-full and Friend-full! ™