Answer A Fool

Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

Proverbs 26:5

Sometimes, we just have to say something.  The question is, when should we speak and when should we be silent?  The writer of Proverbs has put two statements together, which seem on the surface, to be contradictory.  Yesterday, we considered the statement, ‘Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.’  Today our text seems to advise exactly the opposite.  Really, it is all about timing, and that is very much a matter of patience and wisdom.  Today the writer advises, ‘Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.’  There are moments, when dealing with fools when we must set forth the truth, even if they are not prepared to receive it.  Again, Christ leads by example.  When His enemies derided Him for saying that ‘Abraham foresaw my day and was glad.’  He countered their insult with, ‘Before Abraham was, I Am,’ thus revealing His Deity.  Christ was answering fools according to their folly.  He was proclaiming the truth, lest they be wise in their own eyes.  At times, we should be silent, at other times we should speak.  When we speak, we should speak truth.  Only God can give us the wisdom to know which response is appropriate on the day.  As we follow Christ, we will be silent at times and speak at times.  The Holy Spirit, Who guides us into truth, will teach us wisdom to know what to do.

Our God and Our Father,
we rejoice that You have spoken to us,
words of life.
We praise You that You have set before us
Christ, the Living Word,
and by Your Spirit show us
when and how to speak.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning