Some of the darndest searches lead to my blog. WordPress shows me who finds my blog by searching, and also what they were searching for in order to get here.
Today’s search was,
“does the bible say stay away from moron”
I’m gutted that I’m writing this post after the fact; this is a fabulous question and I’d have loved it if my blog could have provided a useful answer to the unknown seeker.
This is such a great question! “Does the Bible say, ‘Stay away from moron?’”
Well… Does it? What does the Bible say about morons?
Exhibit A:
He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. — Proverbs 13:20 (NIV)
Short Answer – Yes! Case closed?
I’m not so sure. The book of Proverbs is pretty hard on fools, but if you read the verses in proverbs condemning fools… they all have a certain flavour. A Biblical fool is one who is willfully ignorant.
Some became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered affliction because of their iniquities. — Psalm 107:17 (NIV)
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. — Proverbs 1:7 (NIV)
A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil. — Proverbs 13:9 (NIV)
Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright. — Proverbs 14:9 (NIV)
On the basis of these verses, Biblical foolishness is something very specific. A fool is one who says, in his heart, “There is no God.” A fool is someone who willfully commits to destructive, self-centered behaviour, regardless of the evidence and of the wisdom against it. A fool is born of rebellion; a fool is one who is set against God and wisdom because they know what’s best and they will have it their way. A fool is dangerous.
But that’s not what we mean when we call someone a moron. Acting stupidly is something we all do. A moron is a simple person, and while a Biblical fool might well be simple, they have an intent that goes beyond simplicity.
The Bible does not say, “Stay away from moron.”
When I think of staying away from a moron, I think of something I do because I despise them or look down upon them. This is the opposite of what Jesus means when he says, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
But when I think of staying away from a fool, it means not endorsing or embracing logic that leads to destruction.
So no, O Mystery Internet Seeker. The Bible does not say, “Stay away from moron.”
Be the moron that all the fools laugh at.
How about mis-spellings, e.g., “Stay away from Moroni”? is quite as likely as “Stay away from Morons”
And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.
- 2 Corinthians 11:15
Good point!
Sadly, Google can only record what someone searched for, and not their intent.
Actually, on second thought, that’s probably a good thing.