To Answer or Not to Answer

Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
   Lest you also be like him.
Answer a fool as his folly deserves,
   Lest he be wise in his own eyes.
--Proverbs 26:4-5

Which is it? 

Do you answer a fool? 

Do you not answer a fool? 

How can you know?

Assuming that your answer will be true and perceptive, Solomon gives a reason for both answering and for withholding an response. He wisely offers reasoning for both cases. So, we must recognize that the best response will require wisdom.

How can we discern?

I believe the answer is found by examining the two possible results.

Solomon’s reasoning for withholding an answer from a fool is: Lest you be like him.

Things start with a foolish person making a foolish statement. It is natural to follow your impulse to correct him. Yet, after doing so, he answers back with more foolishness. Then, you answer again. The cycle continues….

Without thinking it through, you find yourself engaged in the same fruitless ranting or babbling just like the fool. You are doing nothing more than providing a platform for endless foolishness.

Stop that!
Avoid that!
Don’t become a fool yourself!

Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man,
But any fool will quarrel.
--Proverbs 20:3

In the second case Solomon advised to answer a fool, but, again, consider his reasoning: Lest he be wise in his own eyes.

In this case you are encouraged to answer, but with a purpose, not a warning. Your answer is to illuminate the truth of the matter so that the foolish one is shown to be foolish.

If the foolish person can listen, then he will benefit when corrected. This advice is especially applicable when other people are involved. It can help those who may be naïve yet are able to listen. They may benefit from the fool’s correction. Consider...

When the scoffer is punished,
the naïve becomes wise;
But when the wise is instructed,
he receives knowledge.
--Proverbs 21:11

Solomon’s wise advice is never more applicable than in our day. It is tempting to splash our personal opinions all over social media in response to all kinds of foolishness...just like everyone else. However, we need to be cautious. We need to be wise. It is fruitless to engage in dialogue with a scoffer whether in person or online, whether in public or in private. However, there may be times in which a wise word will be beneficial to a naïve foolish person or others who can listen.

In the end, it is not about you and your wisdom. Think about the benefit to others. Look away from yourself and your cleverness. Then you will know how to respond.

Be wise.


Mark Stinnett

October 31, 2021

Something Necessary for Today

Before you read any further, you should know that this article will contain some strong language. It is not my intention to offend, but I will take the risk...

The sensitivity of people in our nation is at an all-time high. (The way you interpret the word 'sensitivity' might be positive or negative.)

I saw an ad posted on social media recently after which several 'comments' were posted. The comments offered testimonials for the product. Then followed a comment accusing those posting the testimonials of being paid for their endorsement. Following the accusation were dozens of comments agreeing and disagreeing with the accusation, and accusing the accuser of a judgmental and intolerant attitude. Sound familiar?

"Tolerance" has become the banner cry of our nation's younger generation. It's companion: "Don't judge me!"

Who would disagree? Tolerance seems to support 'peace on earth' and that would be a really good thing. Likewise, to rid society of judgmental and prejudicial attitudes would make life so much better. This kind of thinking seems to promote love and harmony. However...

I've noticed something, perhaps you have too. Our society's cry for tolerance masks a deep-seated problem that is self-defeating. Too many people apply tolerance reflexively. In other words, they apply it to themselves wanting everyone to tolerate them so that they can enjoy a life with no restraints. They are fools!

I have taken the word fool from the Proverbs in the Bible. By definition the fool lacks good sense in the social, moral and practical areas of life. Tolerance thinking cannot be sustained the way our society preaches. A lack of personal restraint is sure to lead to anarchy (chaos where no one rules). I do not need to cite studies; common sense will do.

A lack of self-restraint is unhealthy for government, society, church, family and even the individual. The answer...discipline. (I warned you.)

A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
And a rod for the back of fools.
--Proverbs 26:3

The whip is used to make a horse do what the horse is meant to do. A bridle is used to make a donkey do what the donkey is meant to do. The horse, left on its own is wild and relatively useless; so also the donkey.

Left on his own (with no restraint), the fool is like a wild animal, relatively useless. For the fool to do what is worthwhile and right, a rod is necessary. 

Though a literal rod was used in Solomon’s day, it symbolically represents any measure of appropriate strong discipline.

The fact that the whip works for the horse, and the fact that the bridle works for the donkey should tells us with great clarity that strong discipline will work in the case of the fool.

The rod is not about punishment but rather, discipline.

• The rod of discipline has a purpose.
• The rod of discipline is not pleasant.
• The rod of discipline works.
• The rod of discipline is necessary.
  

Tolerance sounds nice, but it just won't work!

Christians, self-discipline is necessary so that 'rod' will not be necessary.
Parents, the 'rod' is necessary for your children.

It Just Doesn't Fit

     Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest,
     So honor is not fitting for a fool.
     --Proverbs 26:1

The word ‘fool’ in this verse means ‘stupid’ or ‘dull.’ The root idea is associated with ‘fatness.’ Used in a negative sense it refers to the folly of a person who is inactive due to their heaviness. So, there is a connection to laziness.

We live in a society in which many folks think that everyone deserves a reward. They want to make sure no one is left out, that no one’s ego is bruised.

While that is a very kind attitude, it is completely unrealistic. It is an attitude that actually works against self-discipline, destroys a good work ethic, and diminishes the true meaning of honor. It promotes ‘foolish’ behavior; it even promotes laziness.

I didn’t make this stuff up; God said it!
   Snow and summer - No fit.
   Rain and harvest - No fit.
   Honor and a lazy fool - No fit.

Be wise.

I Probably Shouldn’t Tell You This, But . . .

You’ve heard it, perhaps you’ve said it yourself: “I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but . . . .”

The person who begins a sentence with this phrase usually glances quickly to the left, then to the right. (They must be checking to see if anyone might “see” what they are about to say.) It is an obvious signal that they want to conceal what they are about to do. They don’t want to get caught...because...there is no ‘probably’ about it. They should not tell, and they know it.

However, the abundance of listening ears tempts the whisperer. So, the whisperer tells things that should not be told.

It really doesn’t matter who already knows. It doesn’t matter that names aren’t used. It doesn’t matter that the listener is considered a friend or thought to be trustworthy. Both the whisperer and the one who listens to the whisperer are guilty of gossip.

___________

Have you ever watched a bully on a playground? He is quite different than the whisperer. He struts around as if untouchable. He barges ahead without watching where he is going. He puffs out his chest and threatens others. He usually starts his fight with words, but he really wants to use his fists.

The actions of the bully are unacceptable, but at least he is honest and open with his intentions...not the whisperer.

Regardless of her intentions the whisperer causes strife and contention among others, just like the bully. Yet, her approach is subtle. Off to the side, over in a corner, by phone, over mid-morning coffee, she masks her gossip with quiet whispers.

   For lack of wood the fire goes out, 
   And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.
   --Proverbs 26:20

Do you know how to deal with a whisperer?

When you hear the signal, “I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but...” interrupt!

Rudely interrupt with kind agreement, “You are so right!”

The fire goes out...
Enough said.