Marks of a Foolish Leader
We know that no matter whom we elect, he or she will not be
the ideal leader. However, it is of urgent importance that we avoid electing a
foolish leader like the plague. We as a people have the historically recent and
remarkable privilege of electing our head-of-state. If we as a people choose
unwisely, it will be on our own heads.
How do we know if a potential leader is foolish? The
principle is in this statement that Jesus made: “every healthy tree bears good
fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit” (Matthew 7:17). We must examine
the fruit. And the Bible is quite clear on what the diseased fruit of
foolishness looks like:
- The foolish have eyes that show pride (Proverbs 6:17).
- The foolish say bad things about others (Proverbs
10:18).
- The foolish joke about their wrongdoing (Proverbs
10:23).
- The foolish say whatever they think people want to hear
… they think they can win any argument (Psalm 12:2-4).
- The foolish always think their own way is best
(Proverbs 12:15).
- The foolish are easily upset (Proverbs 12:16).
- The foolish speak without thinking and their words cut
like a knife (Proverbs 12:18).
- The foolish speak and act with recklessness and
carelessness (Proverbs 14:16).
- The foolish despise instruction and reproofs from those
who are wiser (Proverbs 15:5).
- When the foolish try and speak in a dignified manner it
feels artificial (Proverbs 17:7).
- Rebukes just bounce off of the foolish (Proverbs
17:10).
- The foolish love to boldly pronounce their opinions
(Proverbs 18:2).
- The foolish hurt themselves when they speak. Their own words trap them (Proverbs
18:7).
- The foolish frequently disregard wisdom (Proverbs 23:9)
- There is no good way to answer fools when they say
something stupid. If you answer
them, then you, too, will look like a fool. If you don’t answer them, they
will think they are smart (Proverbs 26:4-5).
- The foolish have a history of repeating their folly
(Proverbs 26:11).
- The foolish are quick to express their anger (Proverbs
29:11).
- The foolish are often characterized by shouting
(Ecclesiastes 9:17).
- The foolish may consider themselves religious, but
their unbridled tongues show that religion to be worthless (James 1:26).
This is not an exhaustive list of foolishness, nor
(obviously) is it the only list to consider when electing a leader. This is
simply level one. If a potential leader does not pass the assessment of this
list, we must consider them disqualified.
Examine the Fruit
What is true of false prophets is also true of foolish
leaders: “you will recognize them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:20). So examine
the fruit. It is true that all leaders, being sinners, will act foolishly on
occasion. What we are looking for is consistent, characteristic fruit, not
anomalies. If you find characteristic fruit of foolishness, do not be deceived
by words or fear or any form of pressure. Do not elect a fool to a ruling
position.
For what is true of false prophets
is also true of foolish leaders: they will act wickedly. And “when the wicked
rule, the people groan” (Proverbs 29:2).
