Who Are You Trying To Fool?
The above question is sometimes asked when the one who is about to be ‘fooled’ begins to see the deceit in the actions or antics of one who is trying to fool, trick, beguile, or dupe them. When one is successful in the fooling of another, the ‘fooled’ might say: “Fool me once, shame on you; but fool me twice, shame on me”. To be deceived in a thing the first time is bad enough, but to be conned in the same situation twice simply means that person is not being observant of those who would repeatedly take advantage of them.
Through the years, there have been many sayings about being fooled. I suspect this is because so many have been fooled over the annals of time. Observation of this tactic likely produced sayings that would be remembered, passed on to others, recorded in print or some other means in an effort to prevent folks in the future to be misled in the same way. This is why someone once said: “if we don't learn from our past, we are doomed to repeat it ”.
One of my favorite quotes on this subject of being fooled is: “You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time ”. This is often attributed to Abraham Lincoln. While the saying is true, the exact origin and whether Lincoln actually said it are debated. But as I contemplated this quote, I realized that whoever originated it, left off the most important part. The most important point would have been stated if they concluded with “and you cannot fool God any time ”!
The Holy Spirit had the psalmist pen the Words of Psa. 94:11, and these Words shows that none can fool God. The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity. God, in His foreknowledge, knows the thoughts of man before man thinks them. When we forget God or try to fool God, remember what the psalmist penned in Psa 44:21. Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.
God’s foreknowledge of our thoughts does not alter the fact that man has choice in all things. Man was created with the capability to reason, consider options and choose, and those born following creation were also given this capability. When a person receives improper, or inadequate information, the likelihood of becoming fooled or deceived increases exponentially. As stated earlier, to be fooled or deceived is a bad thing. But something that is far worse is when one deceives themselves. We are told in Gal. 6:3 of one way, one ‘fools’ himself. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. Therefore, if a person thinks they are ‘saved’ and are not, they are fooling or deceiving themselves. Who are they trying to fool?
God’s Word warns against self-deception in Jer.37:9, and in 1Cor. 3:18. Additionally, warnings against allowing others to deceive us can be found in Jer. 29:8; Matt. 24:4; Eph. 5:6; 2Thess. 2:3; and 1John 3:7, and the Words “let no man deceive you ” are found in several of these verses. So, whether you are trying to deceive others, or if you are fooling (deceiving) yourself regarding the soul saving plan God formulated, and was brought to fruition by Jesus, His only begotten Son, you are doing so contrary to God’s Word and are sinning against Him.
Another quote about being fooled is attributed to Søren Kierkegaard, the Danish existentialist philosopher. He said: "There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn't true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true." Let us look at both of these. 1) What does God’s N.T. Word say about believing what isn’t true? 1John 4:1 commands that we are not to believe “every spirit ”, but to “try them ” (test them), “because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” Additionally, 2Pet. 2:1 shows that the “false teachers” among them brought in “damnable heresies” and would “bring upon themselves swift destruction.” Those who are fooled by and follow the damnable heresies put forth by false teachers will also see eternal destruction. 2) What does God’s N.T. Word say about refusing to believe what is true? Rom. 2:8 tells us that they “that are contentious, and do not obey the truth ”, are subject to the wrath of God. Then, there is 2Thess. 2:12, which clearly teaches that “they all might be damned who believed not the truth ”.
Don’t allow others to fool you, and don’t fool yourself. One can only please God by doing what His Word directs. Read, study and meditate on the Word of God, and always do as He directs. His Word is the only thing that is divine truth as 2Tim. 3:16 shows - All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: The next verse states that by inspired scripture, man can be “throughly furnished unto all good works”.
The Bereans of Acts 17:10-11 weren’t trying to fool anyone, and they did not want to be fooled. What did they do? After hearing the preaching and teaching, “searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Jesus said it best. In John 8:31-32, He said to continue in His Word made one a disciple (learner, pupil) of Him. Then He stated: And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Free from being fooled, and if one follows and obeys that truth, free from sin. Who are you trying to fool? Obey the gospel. Remain faithful till death. Seek to please God and be with Him for eternity when time ends.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
