Wisdom for Fools
Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
or you yourself will be just like him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly,
or he will be wise in his own eyes. —Proverbs 26:4-5 ESV
Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. —Proverbs 1:8Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him. —Proverbs 22:1524
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it. —Matthew 7:24-27
Characteristics of a Fool:
Denies the existence of God.
Seldom stops talking.
Too proud to listen to advice.
Lacks self-control.
Obsessed with self.
Unteachable.
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. —Proverbs 12:15Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes. —Proverbs 26:4-5
Wisdom to Answer the Foolish
1. My answer has the potential of helping me become more like a fool. (Prov. 26:4)
2. My answer has the potential of helping them become less foolish. (Prov. 26:5)
3. My help has the potential to bring harm to myself. (Prov. 9:8; Matt. 7:18)
4. No answer is sometimes best.
Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you. —Matthew 7:6
