These verses start with a remarkable statement – that everybody knows enough about God to be in awe of Him.  As our Creator, God has set eternity into our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11).  He has given us a deep inner consciousness that we are here for a reason and accountable to the One who made us.  That awareness finds expression in the many religions, each seeking to make sense of our smallness and yet our significance in the cosmos (Acts 17:22-27).  But it only finds its fulfilment in Jesus Christ, the One who was Chief Executive of Creation and who sacrificed His own life to rescue all who put their trust in Him (Hebrews 1:1-3).

Only God knows everything and is therefore the source of all wisdom.  Rejecting Him, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, is the ultimate foolishness.  We can reject Him passively as well as by outwardly hostile aggression.  Failing to thank Him for His wonderful creation, is to reject Him.  Believing we know better and that our wisdom is wiser than God’s, also rejects Him.  And so is creating objects to worship, however beautifully they may be crafted; they have no power (Psalm 115:4-8).

As pride moves our focus away from the one true eternal God, we let less light (the Bible’s metaphor for truth) into our souls, not more.  Then, the myth of greater human wisdom is matched by the reality of increasing spiritual darkness (Matthew 6:23).  What is missing is a humble and thankful heart, giving glory to God for all He has done.  Without giving God the highest place, we cannot stop being proud fools who stumble their way into ever increasing darkness (Proverbs 4:19).

These verses vividly describe the world today.  The vast majority believe that there is a God, but they do not know Him.  Some do construct idolatrous images to worship, but the majority just ignore Him and act as though they are masters of their bit of the world.  They use what God has made and presume upon His common grace; but because they are not thankful they cannot stop themselves becoming fools as they applaud their own achievements.  The sad illusion is that they think they are wise and can manage without God.  But they are just the people for whom the gospel message is intended.  It will challenge their pride, but it is the only way for them to find the light of God in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:4-6).  So, expect that when you tell the gospel message to others; it will produce a reaction - it is intended to!