I Pity the Fool

It was the catch phrase used by James “Clubber” Lang in Rocky III. Sylvester Stallone created the character as the primary antagonist of the film. Clubber Lang was played by Lawrence Tureaud, popularly known as Mr. T.

I Pity the Fool became a short-lived American reality television series starring Mr. T, originally airing on TV Land. The series featured Mr. T traveling from town to town solving problems, teaching individuals some basic life-skill principles, but mainly giving advice about team spirit. The show lasted for six episodes with the titles Motivation, Trust, Unity, Respect, Leadership, and Communication. I don’t know how spiritual it is, but I always think of Mr. T when I read this:

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)

Here's 3 reasons why I pity the fool who lives life disconnected from other men:

1. Living life disconnected from other men is foolish.

The timeless wisdom of God’s Word says “pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” Pity the fool who thinks “I’ve got this! I don’t need anyone’s help!” Pity the fool who keeps others at a safe distance, concealing their true identity, hiding behind a persona of control, skilled at spinning circumstances to give the appearance of having it all together. Pity the fool who has a variety of mentors who give advice about his career decisions, even about his practice of spiritual disciplines, but who have limited access to his character and personal relationships.

2. Living life disconnected from other men is dangerous.

Proverbs 14:12 and Proverbs 16:25 both give the same warning: “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.” We see things differently when we are isolated from others. The rules don’t seem to apply, so we write our own. When our perspective is the only perspective our vision is limited, and we can talk ourselves into anything. It seems right, but God’s Word warns us that it can lead to death.

3. Living life disconnected from other men is destined for failure.

Proverbs 15:22 says, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” I have learned that all of us are smarter than any one of us. We need to get out more, to really listen and learn from others who are not exactly like us. Life is hard when you think you’re the smartest person in the room, when you think your experience is everyone’s experience. Who are your advisers? Is there a healthy variety in the counsel you subscribe to? Do you have men who will speak honestly to you, even disagree with you when necessary, or do you surround yourself with yes men who give you little more than approval? I pity the fool who looks to his left and to his right and finds no one to help him up or no one to help up when either of them falls. Lending a hand or needing a hand is mutually beneficial. Living life connected, helping and being helped, is how God designed us. We need each other.

This article originally appeared on AuthenticManhoodHouston.com