Answering 439 Bible Contradictions 

Answer: Sometimes a wise man should respond to a fool in order to protect the truth, while at other times he should ignore foolish arguments to avoid similar idiotic behavior.

Problem: Proverbs 26:4 forbids answering a fool, while the next verse insists we respond to him.

Explanation: When responding to an idiot, there are two key principles to follow.

First, you should never respond to a fool if it means lowering yourself to his biblically immoral and foolish behavior. Even if you win the argument, if you’ll end up looking like him, don’t do it.

When a driver with road rage rolls down his window and shout insults, don’t respond in kind. If your neighbor squeals his tires while passing your house each morning, don’t gather your buddies to go drag racing by his home. Don’t lie about atheism because he lied about Christianity. You’ll look like a bonehead just like him.

There’s a sense in which Christlike actions will always appear foolish to the world (1Cor. 1:27), but this passage speaks about avoiding morally, idiotic behavior.

There are other reasons to avoid interactions with foolish arguments which this passage doesn’t address. We should not respond to a fool if it wastes unnecessary time and energy. A steel nail takes several strikes with the hammer to enter hard wood. Trying to force it into iron will only damage the nail and the hammer.

According to Matthew 7:6, if giving holy things only brings abuse and profanity from fools, often it’s best to keep quiet. If a group’s sustained response is rejection, move on. Paul turned from the Jews in Antioch Pisidia because they continued to revile him (Ac. 13:46). Paul told the Jews in the Corinthian synagogue that he was done with them by shaking off the dust from this clothes (Ac. 18:6). While in Ephesus, Paul withdrew from the Jews because they had become so stubborn (Ac. 19:9). Paul ignored the fools.

It’s also best to ignore foolish arguments if they prematurely damage a relationship. Don’t insist that your foolish co-worker becomes a Christian after the first conversation. If he continues to reject your gospel calls, there are times to be quiet like Jesus (Mt. 26:63). Pray. Then wait patiently for the Spirit to work (Jn. 16:8-11).

The second principle is to answer so as to expose the fool’s doctrinal distortions. The audience may be an ignorant fool, like the guy that spouts stupidity simply because he doesn’t know any better. “Someone please tell that poor gentleman that boys can’t become girls.” Or, he may be a rebellious fool, the one who’s trying to derail the church on purpose. It’s even more important to counter this kind of recklessness. “No, Jesus really was nailed to the cross and to say it was only ropes is a cheap attack on the veracity of Scripture.”

Responding to fools should always be done in love (Eph. 4:15). Speak up when your science teacher waxes eloquent on Survival of the Fittest. Resist tooth and nail when your elected official promotes abortion. Don’t be silent when your alma mater pushes Pride flags. Raising your voice will protect your loved ones, like your family, your church, and your society.

In sum, it takes great wisdom to know how and when to respond to fools. Though a Christian should never entertain foolish behavior, such as exchanging slander for slander (1Pt. 3:9), he should speak up early and often to foolish arguments so as to protect the truth.