The world around us is increasingly filled with confusion and division. Two verses that shed light on our interactions with contentious or foolish people are found in Proverbs 26. Proverbs 26:4 tells us, “Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.” Sometimes silence is golden! Note another verse: “A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards” Proverbs 29:11. Repeated attempts to “reason” with a foolish heart will often put us in the undesirable category of the old phrase, “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em!” We will be the next fool at the party! Often our best choice is to follow the example of King David in Psalm 39:1, “I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.”

But…

We can’t ignore Proverbs 26:5: “Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.” Sometimes silence is just plain yellow, lacking the courage to speak what’s right. For example, Psalm 39:2 says, “I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.” To allow the fool’s narrative to go unchecked at every turn is to fail to shed the light and truth of God’s Word on the deceitfulness of earthly “wisdom.”

What are some Biblical motivations we might have for answering a fool? (1) To shine light in darkness- allowing God’s Word to go forward, perhaps there is someone listening who will hear and receive instruction. (2) To witness to a soul blinded by sin- until they know Christ, they will not be able to discern the ignorance of their choices.

So what about you, Christian friend? Do you join the fool in her folly, never able to steer clear of an argument or point of contention? Allow the Holy Spirit to put a guard on your tongue (or typing fingers) and beware of stirring up strife.