5
Theme: EVIL COMMUNICATION
Text: “Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit”. – Proverbs 26:4, 5.
Comment: The book of Proverbs says a lot about fools. They despise wisdom, (Proverbs 1:7,22; 10:21); are right in their own eyes, (Proverbs 12:15); are deceitful, (Proverbs 14:8); and scornful, (Proverbs 14:9) etc. The devotional under consideration today points out the futility in attempting to impact wisdom to a fool. Verse 4 informs us that going into a debate, arguments or any form of conversation with a foolish person according to his own terms, brings us at par or same level with him.
On the other hand, verse 5 instructs us that, there are times when a fool should be confronted as not to allow his folly go unchallenged as such, “answer” is in reference to reproof, rebuke, admonition, thereby exposing his ignorance, irrationality and indiscretion. At such instances when the truth is called to question, Apostle Jude charged us thus: “Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.” – Titus 1:9-11.