The Bible tells us how to respond to a fool:
“Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself.” Proverbs 26:4
“Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.” Proverbs 26:5
What does the Bible mean by “do not answer” and then “answer”—“a fool according to his folly”?
HOW DOES THE BIBLE DEFINE A FOOL?
Many passages in Proverbs tell the characteristics of fools, but a good summation is found in Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” “Wisdom and knowledge” is everything that God is.
Another good definition of a fool is: “He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe.” Proverbs 28:26
A fool is not the most stupid person: “Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” Proverbs 26:12 and “Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” Proverbs 29:20 A man “wise in his own eyes” and “who speaks on haste” is more foolish than a fool!
I’ve been guilty of both those attitudes/actions! Another action we all do is repeat our mistakes: “As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.” Proverbs 26:11
All of us are fools occasionally, but a person who does not accept Jesus’ love and forgiveness is a fool, period! He despises "wisdom and discipline” because he “trust in himself” instead of Jesus.
EXPLAINING PROVERBS 26:4-5
Proverbs 26:4-5 can mean anyone who is acting like a fool. Such a person is a curse to anyone who comes in contact with his wrath:
“Stone is heavy and sand a burden, but provocation by a fool is heavier than both.” Proverbs 27:3 We must be very careful not to let ourselves be provoked by a fool.
We should avoid going to court against a fool: “If a wise man goes to court with a fool, the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace.” Proverbs 29:9 If we go to court against a fool we are answering a fool according to his folly in the wrong way. We are responding as he would expect us to respond.
We should pray about what God wants us to do and then wait for His direction. We must keep ourselves “under control”: “A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.” Proverbs 29:11”Under control” is really under the Holy Spirit’s control: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…” Galatians 5:22-23
EXAMPLES:
Suppose we run into a person who is a fool’s car with our car, of course by accident, When the fool rants and raves in anger, we should apologize if it is our fault or if it not our fault, calmly explain the circumstances. Suppose the fool takes us to court, we should clearly explain what has happened. Even if we have to pay damages: “And we know that in all things God works for the of those who love him” Romans 8:28
Should we ever take someone to court? 1 Corinthians 6:1-8 should be taken into consideration:
”If any of you has a dispute with another, dare he take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, appoint as judges even men of little account in the church! I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? But instead, one brother goes to law against another–and this in front of unbelievers!
The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers.” 1 Corinthians 6:1-8 This seems to be assuming that both parties are part of a local church, but it probably applies to other cases where both parties are Christians.
There is possibly a time when we could take an unbeliever to court: Our friend did about $3000 worth of labor for another man. When he was not paid, our friend did not get angry or threaten, but he did take the matter before the Workman’s Compensation Board and received most of his wages. It seems to me that he did the right thing. Chrisitan would not be respected as a judge, even though we are to have the "mind of Christ" 1 Corinthians 2:16. The law is for the benefit of all, including Christians, In this case,
The conclusion is that we should “answer a fool” the way the Lord directs. Then we will be answering “a fool according to his folly” in a wise way and he will not be “wise in his own eyes”