How the Bible Describes Stupid People

Merriam-Webster dictionary defines stupid as slow of mind and lacking intelligence or reason. But don't you know that the Bible has stiffer description of stupid people? I have compiled some of them for this article. All the verses used are quoted from the Good News Translation (GNT) of the Bible.

Hate being corrected

Any who love knowledge want to be told when they are wrong. It is stupid to hate being corrected. (Proverbs 12:1, ESV)

Always think they are right

Stupid people always think they are right. Wise people listen to advice. (Proverbs 12:15)

Advertise their ignorance

Smart people keep quiet about what they know, but stupid people advertise their ignorance. (Proverbs 12:23)

Sensible people always think before they act, but stupid people advertise their ignorance.(Proverbs 13:16)

Refuse to turn away from evil

How good it is to get what you want! Stupid people refuse to turn away from evil. (Proverbs 13:19)

Careless and act too quickly

Sensible people are careful to stay out of trouble, but stupid people are careless and act too quickly. (Proverbs 14:16)

Hot-tempered

If you stay calm, you are wise, but if you have a hot temper, you only show how stupid you are. (Proverbs 14:29)

Spout nonsense

When wise people speak, they make knowledge attractive, but stupid people spout nonsense.(Proverbs 15:2)

Satisfied with ignorance

Intelligent people want to learn, but stupid people are satisfied with ignorance. (Proverbs 15:14)

Happy with their foolishness

Stupid people are happy with their foolishness, but the wise will do what is right. (Proverbs 15:21)

Do not listen before they answer

Listen before you answer. If you don't, you are being stupid and insulting. (Proverbs 18:13)

Ruin themselves by their actions and then blame the Lord

Some people ruin themselves by their own stupid actions and then blame the Lord. (Proverbs 19:3)

Spend their money as fast as they get

Wise people live in wealth and luxury, but stupid people spend their money as fast as they get it. (Proverbs 24:7)

Express their anger openly

Stupid people express their anger openly, but sensible people are patient and hold it back. (Proverbs 29:11)

Evil and do evil things

A stupid person is evil and does evil things; he plots to ruin the poor with lies and to keep them from getting their rights. (Isaiah 32:7)

Worship Idols

17 The rest of the wood he makes into an idol, and then he bows down and worships it. He prays to it and says, “You are my god—save me! 18 Such people are too stupid to know what they are doing. They close their eyes and their minds to the truth. (Isaiah 44:17-18)

Don't know God

The Lord says, “My people are stupid; they don't know me. They are like foolish children; they have no understanding. They are experts at doing what is evil, but failures at doing what is good.” (Jeremiah 4:22)

Have eyes but cannot see and have ears but cannot hear

Pay attention, you foolish and stupid people, who have eyes, but cannot see, and have ears, but cannot hear. (Jeremiah 5:21)

In many ways, we are all guilty of being stupid. But God (Yahweh) understands our weaknesses. He offers us the gift of the Holy Spirit to help us overcome our human nature. Proverbs 3:6 reminds us to remember the Lord in everything we do, and He will show the right way. Should you be interested to learn more, this blog is a good resource.