Good question! Let us look at what Scripture has to say about this whole matter.
First of all, let us look at what that storehouse of wisdom, the book of Proverbs, has to say on this matter. Proverbs 26:4 tells us: “Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him.” In the following verse we read: “Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.”
A dictionary definition of a fool is a person who acts unwisely or imprudently; a silly person. In the past, many have seen this as a contradiction but those who have been members of the Church of God have had this explained on many occasions. However, it is worth reiterating the value and meaning of these two verses.
First of all, there is no contradiction; otherwise, the Bible itself could not be trusted. The Bible does not contain contradictions and there are always answers if one allows the Bible to interpret itself.
We should ask God in prayer to help us, should we ever be asked or confronted about our beliefs. 1 Peter 3:15 states: “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” When anyone asks us about our beliefs, a quick prayer to God, asking for His help in discerning what and how much to say, will certainly help.
We should ask for this discernment as to whether the questioner is asking out of politeness, is generally interested or is looking for a chance to argue and debate. Our assessment then determines what our approach should be.
Proverbs 26:4 warns us against engaging with a fool on his own terms, because we could be seen as foolish as he is, which would not be a good example of Christian behaviour. A fool despises wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:7); fools hate knowledge (Proverbs 1:22); fools die for lack of wisdom (Proverbs 10:21); the folly of fools is deceit (Proverbs 14:8); fools mock at sin (Proverbs 14:9); and, perhaps most revealingly of all, the way of a fool is right in his own eyes (Proverbs 12:15). When we ascertain that someone is trying to draw us into a discussion that he wants on his terms, we could well be falling into the trap of answering him according to his folly. We would do well to recall what Jesus said in Matthew 7:6 that we are not to cast our “pearls before swine”.
In Proverbs 26:5 we read that we should answer “a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.” At times a fool has to be addressed when such a person may be thoroughly convinced of the correctness of his argument, even though he is completely wrong. In such a case we should show him accurately where he is in error—not as a “put down”, but to make him think about his erroneous stance.
As one commentator put it: “In short, in negligible issues we should just ignore fools, but in issues that matter, they must be dealt with so that credence will not be given to what they say.”
Another area of consideration is to find out what a word, phrase or statement means, as this can vary from person to person. For example, you could be asked if you were homophobic. What you may understand by that phrase may be different to the next person. A fairly standard definition of homophobia is “the hatred or fear of homosexuals – that is, lesbians and gay men – sometimes leading to acts of violence and expressions of hostility.” However, as we know, if the biblical understanding of this behaviour is quoted, it can be regarded as hate speech. Therefore, it is important to find out what the other person understands what “homophobia” means to them. We can then know how to answer accordingly, showing that a true Christian must love the person but hate the immoral action.
We may be called a bigot but, again, what does that word mean to the other person? Being bigoted means, according to the Oxford Dictionary of English, as “having or revealing an obstinate belief in the superiority of one’s own opinions and a prejudiced intolerance of the opinions of others.” As our understanding is based on the Word of God, we must be firm in our convictions without being objectionable. Finding out the other person’s understanding of the word will be helpful in forming a response.
Finding out where the other person is coming from may diffuse potentially difficult situations. Alan Greenspan once commented humourously: “I know you think you understand what you thought I said but I’m not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.” We need to ensure that both parties have the same understanding of the word or phrase, so that any response cannot be misunderstood.
Another way of dealing with any enquiry is to find out why the question is asked. Sometimes that can lead to finding out that the enquirer may just have been asking a question without really wanting an answer.
Let us remember that Jesus answered in the wisest way possible because he could ascertain the purpose and intent of the one who was to be answered – or otherwise. In Luke 20:1-8, Jesus had His authority questioned and He refused to answer; in Mark 12:13-17, the Pharisees tried to trap Jesus about the paying of taxes to Caesar, and He answered indirectly in a very unexpected way. In these two instances (and there are others) Jesus decided not to answer directly because of the attitude and intent of the questioners.
Wherever we can, we should use Scripture to answer any religious question that may come our way. Let us look at how Jesus dealt with Satan in exactly this way, as recorded in Matthew 4:1-3: “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, ‘If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.’”
Jesus did not argue and debate with Satan but answered him from Scripture (verse 4): “But He answered and said, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God”’” (quoting from Deuteronomy 8:3).
The adversary then tried another approach, as we read in verses 5-6: “Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, ‘If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: “He shall give His angels charge over you,” and, “In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.”’” Here, Satan quotes Scripture too (citing Psalm 91:11-12), but he totally twists the meaning of the passage.
Again, Jesus answered from Scripture (Matthew 4:7): “Jesus said to him, ‘It is written again, “You shall not tempt (better “test”) the Lord your God”’” (quoting from Deuteronomy 6:16 in the correct context and with the intended meaning).
In verses 8-9 we read: “Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, ‘All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.’”
Then Jesus said to him (Matthew 4:10): “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve’” (quoting from Deuteronomy 6:13). Satan had been defeated three times by Jesus by the use of Scripture. “Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him” (verse 11).
We have seen in this brief Q&A that we should discern whether or not to answer and, in addition, it may be advisable to ask what is meant by the question or the definition of a word or phrase if this could be contentious. Further, answering with Scripture as Jesus did, is always the best way to respond so long as it is appropriate, correctly used and in context.
We should use wisdom at all times and be gentle and friendly and not provocative or confrontational at all; Proverbs 15:1 tells us that “A soft answer turns away wrath.” Taking that approach will enable us to do “all things decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40).
Lead Writer: Brian Gale (United Kingdom)
