Avoiding Foolishness with the Gospel

The Gospel: Power for the Saved, Folly for the Perishing

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

For it is written,
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”

Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

(1 Corinthians 1:18-25)

The gospel will either make you powerfully wise or make you a moron. Wisdom is seeing things correctly—from God's perspective, seeing reality for what it actually is and responding accordingly. The gospel grants this wisdom or demonstrates foolishness.

In the Corinthian context, divisions arose from foolish statements like “I am of Paul,” “I am of Apollos,” “I am of Cephas,” “I am of Christ.” These missed the fundamental reality that Paul, Apollos, Cephas, and Christ all preached the same gospel. Such divisions are moronic. The only way to resolve them is through the gospel, which separates the wise from the morons.

Understanding "Moron" in Scripture

The word translated “foolish” or “folly” here is the Greek moria, from which we get “moron.” It refers to someone who does not understand, who cannot discern or grasp reality from a significant degree. Someone who just doesn’t get it.

This is relevant for churches and youth groups plagued by people not on the same page about beliefs or perceptions. A cultural shift toward accepting any reality is moronic—an abandonment of intellectualism and proper function in life. Foolish thinking is pointless, leading nowhere, doing nothing. Only the gospel provides purpose, significance, and true perception of reality.

How you understand a moron is tied to whether you see the gospel as moronic. If the message of the cross seems foolish, you are the fool.

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one.

(1 Corinthians 2:14-15)

The Power of God in the Gospel

To those being saved, the word of the cross is the power of God—the dunamis, the ability to function properly in any circumstance. Unbelievers may add numbers, but they miss the significance: mathematics reflects order from a Creator.

The gospel permeates every area of life. It’s enough for depression, drug addiction, or any trial. The world calls this moronic, but Scripture declares it power from God to function in a way pleasing to Him and beneficial for us.

Worldly solutions like Alcoholics Anonymous offer temporary pragmatism, not eternal value. They address symptoms but ignore the soul.

I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.

(Isaiah 29:14)

The gospel’s power destroys worldly wisdom, which raises itself against God. It’s not just for initial salvation but transforms every aspect of life.

Disconnect Between Lips and Heart

This people honor me with their lips,
but their heart is far from me.

(Isaiah 29:13)

If public words honor God but private lives do not, you live as a moron. God dismantles such human wisdom, replacing it with reality. A disconnect leaves you with folly.

Is it better to avoid problems or handle them wisely? Tested faith, like gold refined by fire (1 Peter 1), is more precious. Traditions—popular opinions in our circles—often become false authorities, causing division like in Corinth. True unity comes from commitment to the gospel and the community of believers, not mere social interaction.

Gospel Fools Wiser Than Worldly Wise

God has made the wisdom of the world foolish. Jews demand signs; Greeks seek philosophy (“Why am I here?”). But we preach Christ crucified—a stumbling block to Jews, folly to Gentiles.

Yet to those called, Christ is the power and wisdom of God. Even the “foolishness of God” is wiser than men; the “weakness of God” stronger than men. This hyperbole emphasizes: even if God seemed foolish or weak, He surpasses the world’s best.

Choose Wisdom Over Foolishness

Do you want to be powerfully wise or a moron? Morons are overtaken by circumstances without a steady foundation. Rooted in the gospel, perception of life is advantageous.

Even “gospel morons” function better than the wisest unbelievers. Jesus died to save you from sin, bringing transcendent life. Repent and believe—stop the foolishness and embrace this reality.

For those saved, continue in the gospel for ongoing powerful wisdom to live effectively.