Speak up or keep quiet? The Bible tells us how we can decide
By Dean Collins
Here is your multiple-choice question for the day: How are you to answer a fool?
A. Answer not a fool according to his folly
B. Answer a fool according to his folly
C. All of the above
I believe the wisdom of Proverbs suggests “C” as the answer. Sometimes it is best to remain silent, and other times there’s an opportunity to address or correct the lies someone is perpetuating.
At first glance Proverbs 26:4-5 might seem contradictory:
“Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.”
But on the other hand, the wisdom of Proverbs sounds a lot like the wisdom of Solomon from Ecclesiastes:
“…a time to keep silence, and a time to speak” (Ecclesiastes 3:7 ESV).
The fool in Scripture is one who resists or ignores the wisdom of God. This suggests that all of us have acted and spoken in ways that are foolish. Since the beginning of time, man has consistently defaulted to thinking so much of himself that he seems to believe he knows better than God on a variety of topics. Not the least of these is deciding to determine his own course instead of trusting in the Lord with all his heart.
Jesus had numerous conversations in the Gospel accounts that demonstrate the wisdom of Proverbs 26:4-5. One of my favorites is found in Luke 20:2-8. Some of the chief priests and scribes asked Jesus by what authority he was teaching and doing miracles. Jesus replied to this foolish question by asking his own question of his interrogators:
“Now tell me, was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?” And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From man,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.”
They responded that they didn’t know. Jesus then chose not to give them an answer to their question. There is a time to keep silent and a time to speak.
The apostle Paul was also often questioned and challenged concerning his authority and his teaching. Like Jesus, Paul sometimes answered, even acknowledging that his answers might sound foolish.
“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.’ For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Corinthians 1:18-19, 25 ESV).
The fool of Scripture perpetuates foolishness in order to disrupt the work and wisdom of God. And the foolish person is often blinded to their own foolishness. To join in some conversations simply results in a spiraling downward. In several places in Paul’s epistles, we are given clear instructions about when and how we speak out.
In 1 Timothy 6, we are cautioned not to get involved in controversy and quarrels that stir envy and produce dissension and slander. Within seconds we can open a number of social media platforms and find foolishness that leads to nothing but controversy and division. Having the wisdom to avoid such conversations or, worse, to start them is important.
On the other hand, in 2 Timothy Paul suggests that while we should avoid ignorant controversies, when we do speak we should correct opponents with gentleness because our tone may influence repentance. In Romans 2:4 Paul reminds us that the richness of his kindness toward us is intended to lead us to repentance. It is not just right arguments or truth that change our hearts.
Paul’s words at the end of Colossians may be the best way to understand the wise king of Proverbs and how we deal with foolish talk from foolish people:
“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
Father, today we ask for wisdom to know when we are to speak up and when it is best to remain silent. We ask that your Holy Spirit inform every conversation so that we can reflect the kindness and graciousness of Jesus in each situation. Forgive us when we have acted foolishly in previous conversations. May our words be seasoned with salt and delivered with kindness today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your time with God’s Word
Proverbs 26:4-5; 1 Timothy 6:3-8; 2 Timothy 2:23-26; Luke 20:2-8; Colossians 4:5-6 ESV
Photo by Kristina Flour on Unsplash
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