Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you yourself also be like him.
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes. Proverbs 26:4-5 LSB
When I first began studying the Bible, this verse seemed confusing. I was thinking, “Which is it? Do you answer a fool according to his folly or do you not answer a fool according to his folly?
I knew the Bible never contradicted itself, so I had to find out why in one verse it said not to answer a fool according to his folly and in the very next verse it said to answer a fool according to his folly. I asked a pastor to explain it to me, because at the time I was a baby Christian. I had only rededicated my life to Christ a few years prior. Of course, I’m still in the learning process, but praise God, He has surrounded me with good teachers who help me along the way. So, allow me to explain as it was explained to me.
The explanation for these two verses is as follows. Verse 4 tells us not to answer a fool according to his folly. What this means is when a fool is acting a fool, don’t stoop to his level. I used to always want to get the last word in, but I have come to realize that sometimes walking away or keeping silent is the best way to do that. As the old saying goes, “Better to be thought a fool than to open your mouth and erase all doubt.”
Now in verse 5 we are told to correct a fool. If someone says something foolish, we are to correct them because otherwise they will be wrong, but in their eyes, they will not only be right but will be wise.
We are told in Proverbs 3:7 that we should never consider ourselves to be wise in our own eyes. In Proverbs 3:4-6 we are told that we are not to rely on our own understanding, but to acknowledge God in all we do, and He will guide us on the right path.
As Christians we are to be holy. This means we are set apart or separated from the world. This means we look a little differently than everyone else. It also means we act a lot differently than everyone else. It means we don’t have to have the last word, because we know God’s got it covered. We can give it all over to Him.
If you read the book of Proverbs, you will see that God does not tolerate foolish, wicked, evil behavior and He is fully capable of dealing with people who exhibit such behavior.
If you have ever had to stoop, you know it’s an uncomfortable position. I’m short, so I am more apt to have to stretch than to stoop, but you get what I mean. When we crouch down and try to make ourselves lower to the ground or shorter, it’s uncomfortable. It’s not a position we want to stay in for very long.
Well, as Christians, stooping to foolish behavior should be even more uncomfortable. It should be something that is painful to our souls. We just should not do it.
My supervisor used to have a saying about arguing with fools. He said, “Never argue with an idiot, they will just bring you down to their level and beat you to death with experience.”
Most fools have had years of practice. Arguing with them will do us no good. But what’s most important is that this is not how we show Christ’s love. We need to gently rebuke or try to correct their foolish behavior. If they refuse to listen, it’s up to them and God from there. That’s our cue to move on.
Have a great day!