Don’t Be That Guy – Part 1

The Unteachable Fool

November 2, 2025

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Proverbs 26:4 (NIV) Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him.

Proverbs 26:5 (NIV) Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.

Proverbs 1:1–7 (NIV) The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young—let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance—for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

1. The Know-It-All Fool.

Proverbs 12:15 (NIV) The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.

Proverbs 3:7 (NIV) Do not be wise in your own eyes…

           2. The Defensive Fool.

Proverbs 9:7–8 (NIV) Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse. Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you…

Proverbs 15:12 (NIV) Mockers resent correction, so they avoid the wise.

          3. The Stubborn Fool.

Proverbs 26:11 (NIV) As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.

Proverbs 29:1 (NIV) Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.

          4. The Passive Fool.

Proverbs 1:22 (NIV) How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?

James 1:22 (NIV) Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

1. Lord.

Proverbs 1:7 (NIV) The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

           2. Welcome correction.

Proverbs 9:8-9 (NIV) Rebuke the wise and they will love you. Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.

Proverbs 15:31–32 (NIV) Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise. Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.

1. with the wise.

Proverbs 13:20 (NIV) Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.

          4. Practice obedience, not just agreement.

Matthew 7:24 (NIV) 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.

Proverbs 3:5–6 (NIV) Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

         5. Pursue accountability, not just advice.

Proverbs 27:5–6 (NIV) Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.

Proverbs 27:17 (NIV) As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

1. and .

Proverbs 4:26 (NIV) Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.

Proverbs 14:8 (NIV) The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.

1. Stay in the .

2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV) All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness…

Proverbs 1:20–23 (NIV) Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square…Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings.