"Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself." 5.Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes." (NIV) These two proverbs seem to contradict each other, but they do not. In the first place, if you are talking to a "fool" and you have a disagreement, do not argue with him or her, because you will be acting just like him or her. In the second place, in another situation you might need to answer him or her to straighten them out, lest they "be wise in (their) own eyes." Different situations demand different responses. Some moments are teachable moments and some moments are not. If we don't learn to tell the difference we will become "fools" ourselves. Let me tell you what I thought about when I read this. First, I have decided that there is very little that is worth arguing about. I have gotten to a point that when I hear something that I disagree with, I zip my mouth shut, because anything I say is not going to change that person's opinion. Second, I consider to whom it is that I am talking. There are some people that you can have a friendly disagreement with, and it will turn into an interesting discussion. In that case, we both learn something. But there are other people that you do not dare disagree with, because they will take offense. I'm not going to call the other person a "fool," but if I proceed to argue with him or her, I will become a "fool." I should know better. Third, I will not say anything at that moment, but in the future, in different circumstances, I might be able to talk with that person about the issue. In that case, I have moved from verse 4 to verse 5. Fourth, I have to remember that I can be kind of "testy" myself at times, so I try to abstain from arguing because I might end up being the "fool." If we will look honestly at ourselves, we will admit that we can "play the fool" sometimes. I do not know if I clarified this issue for you, but it was clear to me. I have been in too many arguments in my lifetime where nothing was accomplished but hurt feelings. That is why I try not to argue. A fellow told me one time that he didn't think I cared, because when he said something that he knew I disagreed with, I wouldn't say anything in return. It didn't bother me, because caring does not depend on trying to prove your point when trying to prove your point is pointless. I remember a saying that proves my point: "I wondered if you were a fool, then you opened your mouth and I didn't have to wonder anymore." Selah Bro. Joe
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AuthorDr. Joe Beauchamp is the author of this blog and website. Categories
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September 2021
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