If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.
Proverbs 29:9
Over the last couple of decades, our nation has been slipping into greater and greater divisiveness. I’m not just talking about the political left and right here, but of a Biblical worldview versus humanism. You may have been aware of the divide as it gradually widened, or you may simply have looked up one day to see a gaping chasm. But if you’re on any social media platform today, all you have to do is scroll to see, read, and hear the venom. Especially in our current culture of crisis.
That’s why I’m not on Facebook or Instagram. It was probably eight or nine years ago when I started seeing posts on FB from some of my closest friends touting hate regarding Christians ideals that I hold dear. And, due to the fact that I wanted to keep these people as friends in real life, I had to “unfriend” them, digitally, by removing myself from social media.
For the past couple of years, I did hold onto a neighborhood site called “Nextdoor.com”—you may be part of it yourself. It’s great to get recommendations for tradespeople, restaurants, dentists, and it’s even great place to sell and buy stuff. Having recently moved to a new state, I jumped right on to get the scoop on things. What I found (again) was plenty of vitriol. I made a simple comment, requesting that people keep things civil—in fact, I entreated, let’s keep this one social media site to its original intent. You would have thought I took a video of myself burning a puppy. The contempt came flying at me from every side. For proposing civility.
It brought to mind all those Proverbs about arguing with fools. Here’s just some of the wisdom found in this Old Testament book:
- If we answer a fool according to his folly, we’ll be just like him.
- A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only is expressing his opinion.
- Fools despise wisdom and instruction.
- A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating.
- He who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
- A fool repeats his folly (like a dog returning to his vomit).
- The mouth of fools pours out folly.
- If you try to argue or debate a fool, his simply rage or laugh at you.
As Solomon stated very clearly in Proverbs, it doesn’t matter how you approach a foolish person—with sweetness, righteous indignation, or outright anger—you won’t get peace. Because that person’s belief is rooted in the world and not the Truth of God’s Word, he or she will either mock you for your “ignorance” or rage at you for your “malice”. After all, when we speak words based on our knowledge of Christ, to that person, it simply smells like death (2 Corinthians 2:16).
I’m not saying to forgo speaking the Truth in love—even using your social media platforms to do so. We must share the Good News of Jesus Christ! How He came to reconcile us to God through His death and resurrection, making a way for us to have eternal life with God. We must love others. We must forgive as we’ve been forgiven. Sometimes, we will find common ground, and we may even bring someone to believing faith in Jesus.
But the Word also tells us in Romans 12:18 that we must, as much as it depends on us, keep peace with others. So, friend, keep on speaking Truth—it’s commanded of us. We just can’t argue with fools.
Lord, help me to stand firm on Your Truth and to speak that Truth in love, but refrain from arguing with fools.
encouraged by grace 