Sayre Woods Bible Church

Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.  (26:4-5)

This set of proverbs has always caught my attention. They are obviously contradictory. In fact, I’ve even heard someone use these verses as evidence that there are contradictions in the Bible. I had the take the advice of 26:4. There was no point in answering at the time.

Solomon obviously put these two proverbs together for a reason. When a fool speaks or mocks or rattles on, sometimes it is pointless to answer him. So don’t. Just be quiet or quietly leave the conversation because to answer him is to get caught in an endless cycle of chatter with someone who obviously does not want to listen. In the end, you will just be frustrated and the fool will be no better off because of your words. Jesus echoes this thought when He says, “…Don’t cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces” (Matthew 7:6b). Sometimes silence speaks volumes.

On the other hand, Solomon says that there are times that you have to answer a fool lest they be wise in their own eyes. This proverb follows the first one for a reason. When a fool spouts off about some topic, our initial response is to keep silent. The hope is that the silence will end the topic and the fool will move on to something else. Oftentimes a fool is simply trying to spur on a controversy and rile up other people. That’s why the Bible calls them fools. Silence then is the best response.

However, at times, the fool really thinks he knows something and he interprets the silence as evidence that he is right and so he keeps on “philosophizing” about the same topic. At some point, the wise person must speak. And Solomon advises that a wise person should speak “according to his [the fool’s] folly.” What does that mean? I take it to mean that a wise person should not try to list a whole slew of reasons why the fool is wrong. Rational argument doesn’t usually work with a fool. That’s why the Bible calls them fools. Instead the wise person simply tries to show the folly of the fool’s own words. Jesus was a master at this. When asked a question intended to trap him, Jesus usually responded not with an answer to their question but with a question of His own. A classic example is when the Pharisees asked Him, “Tell us, by what authority are You doing these things?” To which Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one thing and answer Me: the baptism of John was it from heaven or from men?” When the Pharisees refused to answer (because they would be trapped either way), Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things” (Luke 20:1-8).

Fools generally like to keep people on the defensive by asking lots of questions. A wise person doesn’t try to answer all of them but simply turns the table and asks questions of their own. How do you learn such responses? By growing in wisdom and discernment and maintaining your cool through the power of the Spirit. There is no easy way. Wisdom always comes through daily practice over time.

As mockers increase in this world, it is vital for believers to grow in wisdom, discernment and self-control. And these attributes only come through a disciplined reading of God’s Word and a daily walk in the power of the Spirit.

Lord, fill me with Your Spirit and grant me with Your wisdom as I walk through this day.