Heredity or Environment?

(Proverbs 17:21 KJV)  He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.

Is someone born a “fool” (5036)?  If so, can the condition be changed?  Your response to this might be molded by your basic theological foundation.  It is possible that you believe your eternal destiny is determined by God when you are conceived.  At the other extreme is total free will.  As usual the Bible has whispers and shouts of both.

For one you are born with a personality.  You are born into a situation.  There is nothing you can do about it.  You cannot pick your parents, at least genetically.  In the nine month before my son was born my wife went through extreme stress.  For my daughters womb time things were much calmer.  How much did that contribute to their different personalities?  We will never know this side of eternity.  Some people are inclined toward foolishness.

On the other hand the Bible is full of indications that we can overcome adversity, anger and ancestors.  It is the hope of the transforming power of the Blood.  It is the promise of liberty in Christ.  It is the power of the Holy Spirit.  Once we were lost; now we are found.  Once we were sinners, now saints.  Once we were strangers, now children of God.

So?  Yes, you might be a natural born fool.  That does not mean you need to stay that way.  Keep in mind that your father is not the only one who suffers if you are a fool.  The Spirit waits to help.  Make both your earthly and heavenly fathers proud.