June 26

Jun 26 - Today from Proverbs 26 we look at verses 4 & 5
"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."

The section of Proverbs starting at chapter 25 was collected by King Hezekiah's aids and were specifically directed toward the king and his leaders. This chapter clearly instructs leaders to be careful in their dealings with fools, sluggards and malicious people - particularly in entrusting them with areas of authority or responsibility. Proverbs are so practical.
The two verses we are looking at today seem to directly contradict each other. Even more curious is the fact that they follow one after the other, so there is no opposing context from which they can be interpreted. This is a big clue that the reader is being challenged to think through the text and make sense of it. There must be a solution.
Here's my solution: I believe the word 'folly' in verse 4 refers to the fool's attitude and approach. Is the fool coming from a position of pride? Is he challenging the leader with sarcasm, anger, or even malice? Is the fool baiting the leader, attempting to get a response that is unbecoming of a leader and thus relegating the leader to 'just another person with an attitude' in the eyes of the people? Like it or not, leaders and public figures are held to a higher standard, and they are responsible to live with integrity and to keep that image intact. Leaders are to be just that - examples for people to follow. The writer of this proverb is instructing the leader not to follow the example of the fool. If one reacts to the baited position of a fool, one has allowed the fool to set the example. "You will be like him yourself."
I believe the word 'folly' in verse 5 refers to the content of fool's position. If the leader does not challenge the content of the fools position, the fool will have claimed to be right and will have gained influence with others. This proverb is instructing the leader to disarm the fool's improper and probably dangerous position by bringing forth clear facts assembled in an understandable format. Even if the fool will not relent from his position, his folly will have been exposed to those who otherwise may be influenced by his position. If the leader does his research and presentation well, it is likely that the fool himself will lose his position and will find no basis for being "wise in his own eyes."
How can we practically apply this? I can give you one clear way. Psalm 14:1 says, "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'" The fool is getting a pretty strong position these days because the Christians aren't skilled at disarming their position. There are two challenges for us as Christians. First, we are not to respond to non-Christians in kind when they are snide, mean-spirited, and vicious against the Christian community. "Bless those who curse you; bless and do not curse." (Romans 12:14). To bless means to speak well of. To curse means to speak ill of. We need grace to live in such a manner. Then secondly, we are to be able to defend our faith in an intelligent manner. "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." (1 Peter 3:15). Every believer should be able to clearly articulate the means of salvation. Every believer should be able to give a clear and concise testimony regarding their own faith. As Christians, we are called to be leaders in that we set the example to the world - both in attitude and in faith. The sad thing about the fools setting the example is that they are leading people to a Christless eternity.
Wisdom knows how to properly answer a fool.