SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 26
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are. Be sure to answer the foolish arguments of fools, or they will become wise in their own estimation. [Proverbs 26:4-5]
These verses from Proverbs have always intrigued me.
On the one hand, wisdom teaches that we should not get mixed up with foolish arguments; and yet saying nothing can make you end up looking like a fool.
Solomon senses the tension between these two statements, and places them side by side on purpose.
So is one saying right and the other wrong – this is the wrong question!
Wisdom goes deeper than silly controversies, wisdom cuts to the heart.
In other words, don’t let folly set the agenda; use a foolish debate to expose the deeper folly.
Jesus gives us a good example of how this can be done…
When Jesus returned to the Temple and began teaching, the leading priests and elders came up to him. They demanded, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right?” “I’ll tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question,” Jesus replied. “Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human?” They talked it over among themselves. “If we say it was from heaven, he will ask us why we didn’t believe John. But if we say it was merely human, we’ll be mobbed because the people believe John was a prophet.” So they finally replied, “We don’t know.” And Jesus responded, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things. [Matthew 21:23-27]
Jesus refuses to answer the religious leaders’ questions because He know they are not really interested in the answer – as their response to John the Baptist reveals.
By their own admission, they do not want to face the truth; they are willfully ignorant (the latin word for “we don’t know” is ignoramus).
Jesus does not answer their foolish question, but neither does He remain silent.
He exposes their hearts, He reveals their deeper motives – self-preservation!
Wisdom goes deeper than information, debate, controversy.
I have sensed this in many of the big debates I have been a part of: women in office, abortion, the end times, creation/evolution, homosexuality.
In other words, often the people (myself included) have not been asking the right questions; we’ve been trying to win debates, justify our own opinions, beat our opponents… be right.
I am not saying that these are not important discussions, but that the issue goes deeper than we prefer to go.
Wisdom cuts like a knife into our own hearts, discerning our deeper motives, our secret sins, our pride.
The next time we get into a “debate”, let us check our own motives or attitudes.
Are we demonstrating the humility of wisdom, or the pride of controversy [James 3:13-19]?
Are we being foolish in the midst of our debates about truth, being right and wrong?
If we are, the deep answers will elude us; Jesus will not tell us what we are looking for.
PRAYER:
Lord, I admit that often I am more concerned about being right than I am in discerning truth, especially when that truth exposes me. Grant me the humility of wisdom, and the wisdom of humility.