If God had more morons in his service, the world would likely be a much better place.

Paul was such a person, at least according to his own account of things.

We are fools (Greek: morons) for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute.1 Corinthians 4:10 (ESV)

When I think of a moron, my mind immediately goes to an image of a buck-toothed idiot sitting on a stool with a dunce cap on his head. How cruel. Being considered a fool is something many people genuinely fear and will go to great lengths to prevent, even to the point of refusing to stand for truth and what is right. Adam and Eve were made to feel foolish by the serpent, which was a large part of the reason that they opted for being “wise” rather than trust in God and his words. I have experienced being called foolish by some of my brothers and sisters in Christ for adhering to the Word of God over widely accepted opinion, and perhaps you have, too.

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Genesis 3:6 (ESV) 

The Corinthians fell for the same ruse. Trying to avoid being foolish in men’s eyes, they apparently distanced themselves from Paul, who did not shy away from being called a fool, if need be, in order to be loyal to Christ.

Following Christ asks us to accept that ungodly people, and sometimes misinformed or carnal Christians, may hold us in disrepute.

Jesus told his followers to beware when all speak well of us (Luke 6:26). Following the Spirit and the Word of God will often put us at odds with the world system, which uses mockery, persecution, threats, and outright lies to try to intimidate us into being silent regarding the truth and Jesus.

It all boils down to whether we look to God or men as our source for validation.

The fear of God teaches us that his opinion is the only one that matters. Because the Father validated Jesus as his only Son in whom we was and is well-pleased, Jesus was able to endure the scorn and violence of those who rejected his lordship. Unless we choose to regard God’s opinion more than man’s, we will likely succumb to the fear of man, which is a snare that leads to death (Proverbs 29:25).

Paul wrote:

But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 1 Corinthians 4:3 (ESV) 

Unless we choose to endure the judgments and scorn of men, we will not be very effective servants of Christ.

Unless we embrace the apparent foolishness of doing what God says and standing for his truth, we may crumble before hostile opponents who are prepared to call us fools and ostracize us. Paul wrote:

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10 (ESV) 

The kingdom of God needs more people who are willing to look foolish in men’s eyes in order to bring glory to God. May God help us all to be “morons” for Christ and truth!