Posted on 06/26/2019 4:54:46 AM PDT by Pilgrim's Progress
“Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit” (Proverbs 26:4-5).
“Answer not a fool,” here's a fool again. In verses 4-5, you have contradictory statements. “Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.” “Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.” How in the world do you reconcile that? Well, first of all it says, “answer not a fool according to his folly,” or his foolishness. If he is fooling around, don't you fool around; you answer him straight. “lest thou also be like unto him.” You’ll be just as big a fool as him. In other words, don't go along with him. Tell him the truth. You know, he’s laughing about a situation that shouldn't be laughed at; don't you laugh
You know people like that, just to get along, just not to make any enemies, or not to make any waves. When the fool berates somebody, they'll giggle a little well. They don’t really mean it; they’re just going along. Well, don’t! Don’t answer the fool according to his folly. Don't go along with it. Oppose it.
“A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself” (Titus 3:10-11).
Reject him. Don’t keep fooling with him. You keep trying hang around that guy and trying to convert him, people will think you are just as big a fool as his is. They’ll say, “There’s two fools for you.”
Now, verse 5.
“Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit,” give him the truth. If he won't get right or stiff-necked, “let him be ignorant still.” and give him the rod like in verse three. Just pound him with the Book. Just give it to him; get the old Sword out and cut him to pieces. Listen, if that fool won’t listen, and do right then walk away and leave him to his own devices.
“Lest he be wise in his own conceit,” Romans 11:25 talks about being wise in one’s own conceit. That is the guy that says, “I know what I'm doing! I’m the chosen of God!” “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.”
If you don't answer a fool according to his folly, give him the truth, and give it to him straight, and not play games with him, why he will think he's pretty smart.
Let’s read a chapter of Proverbs a day and see what God might have for us. As the Lord leads, share with us what God has shown you in a special way and by His grace let us build up a devotional repository. Let’s keep our knives and forks handy for some daily bread!
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