Proverbs 26:4-5 (NASBStr)
Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
Or you will also be like him.
Answer a fool as his folly deserves,
That he not be wise in his own eyes.
These two proverbs cause great difficulty in interpretation. They are, seemingly, intended to be completely opposite. In verse four we are told not to answer a fool. In verse five we are told to give the fool an answer. The apparent contradiction may not be, however, a contradiction at all. The purpose of Proverbs is to equip the person pursuing wisdom with wisdom. Solomon is telling the listener that they should beware that when talking to a fool they should practice discernment. If you simply address every fool you meet who speaks out loud every time they want, you need to be careful. But, you can't simply ignore them all the time either. There are times when we need to speak up and there are times when we need to be quiet. That is one lesson taught in the above proverbs. Another lesson is that we ought to make sure when we do speak to them we don't act like them. We are not to respond "according" to his folly but we are to respond in a way the fool deserves. One of the great verses in the New Testament tells us that we should be ready to give an answer to those who ask the reason for the hope in us (1 Peter 3:15). Solomon is telling us if we answer someone who is spouting out folly we ought to be wise in how we confront them. But there are times we have to confront them. Don't charge into the battle with a fool, but if you do be wise.
If you are a tattoo freak this might be the best couple of proverbs to tattoo on your self. If not your body certainly your mind. How often do we get into arguments with people, who if they are not fools, are acting like fools? What this set of proverbs is telling us is to use discernment when engaging in a conversation or conflict discussion with someone who shows foolish tendencies (they reject the truth of Christ and the Fear of the Lord). As already stated, on the one hand we are to be careful to answer them "according" to his folly lest we be just like him. The point being, don't be like a fool ... don't be drawn into a foolish and vain conversation with them that is absent truth and void of God's perspective. But on the other hand, we are to answer a fool, but in a way he/she deserves, so they don't walk away thinking they are a wise and superior. What a fine balance we are to maintain. Don't argue like them but make sure they don't leave the conversation thinking they are superior ... how? We do that by sharing truth and God's perspective on the subject we are talking about. When God's mind is brought into a conversation fools run. When truth is brought in to share light on the conversation fools look for the shadow. Don't argue like a fool. But share truth and make sure the fool doesn't leave without it.
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