Proverbs SOAP: A call for your help on foolishness

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by

Amy
in ,

A Chapter of Proverbs a Day…

Ummm, I’m taking a break from SOAP for the day because, well, I’m a bit confused and thought maybe you could help.

Scripture: Today we are to be reading and selecting a verse from Proverbs 26 that jumps out and I can’t seem to get past Proverbs 26: 4-5:

4Do not answer a fool according to his folly,

or you will be like him yourself

5Answer a fool according to his folly,

or he will be wise in his own eyes.

It seems to me that being like the fool would be bad, but enabling the fool to be wise in his own eyes would be bad, too. So what do we do?

I’m stuck and can’t come up with the O or then A for this because I’m, well, stuck. And I don’t want to just gloss over that and pick another verse and shove my questions aside.

Can anyone help? If you have any insight on this to share, I would love to read it.

I do have the P. I can always Pray:

Prayer: Lord, thank you for this community of believers and questioners and growers you have shared with me through MomsToolbox. Please bring some readers by today who can offer true insight into these verses so that that those of us struggling can read it and grow in the way you intend.

I want to grow in true wisdom from heaven, as defined in James 3:17 as “…pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” Help me to grow in your wisdom and guide our community as we grow together.

Thank you so much, Lord, for your guidance and love. And for the answers which are sure to come.

Comments

9 responses to “Proverbs SOAP: A call for your help on foolishness”

  1. Proverbs SOAP: Diligence, consideration and duty will be rewarded | Mom's Toolbox

    […] Thank you so much for all your input from my SOAP confusion yesterday. I really appreciate your help! Like what you've read? Subscribe and have it delivered to your […]

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  2. angela Avatar
    angela

    I read this today as well. When I read it went back several times to make sure I was actually not mixing up the words. :)

    Reply
  3. amydeanne Avatar
    amydeanne

    my observation — better to keep silent sometimes!
    .-= amydeanne´s last blog ..love does no… =-.

    Reply
  4. jenb Avatar
    jenb

    for insignificant issues do not answer a fool… we may end up arguing with him , or be angry or discouraged —- and all because of insignificant issues? we may make ourselves look fools also.

    for important issues answer a fool (out of our love for them). we should try to make them see what is right and true. maybe they will listen to us… at least we try.

    Reply
  5. Nicole Ross Avatar
    Nicole Ross

    This is what my ESV Study Bible said about it:
    These verses are especially striking in that they appear to contradict each other. To answer a fool according to his folly (v. 5) is to keep replying to his remarks in order to show up their folly. Verse 4 gives the general policy (answer not a fool), because you will end up like him yourself as he responds to your reply with further folly: the interchange will have no end. Verse 5 gives the exception (answer a fool), because sometimes he or others may think to their own harm that he cannot be answered (cf. v. 12).

    Nicole

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  6. Kimberly Avatar
    Kimberly

    I agree and think Rach said it perfect.

    Reply
  7. celee Avatar
    celee

    Yes, I’ve pondered over this myself. I think this is an example of the use of a literary device to draw our attention to point being made on dealing with fools. I think the circumstances will dictate whether we behave like in v 4 and ignore the fool or whether we take a stand for the truth like in v 5. For instance, my mother-in-law says crazy, goofy stuff all the time. Most of the time Ijust ignore her or nod politely. My husband does the same. Sometimes, though, she says something theologically goofy in his church and he feels compelled to kindly correct her (not drawing her into argument, but giving a Scripture that sets the record straight) for the sake of his church, class, children, or whoever is listening. I don’t know if he ever gets through to her, but he feels he needs to let the truth be known. I think this is what Proverbs 26 is all about. I guess O could be there is a proper way and time to answer a fool and the rest of the time we should let it go. I guess A could be to not answer a fool unless Biblical truth is at stake and in that case only answer with Scripture, letting God’s Word do the work, rather than answering out of a personal offense to your pride. Just my two cents:)
    .-= celee´s last blog ..Coming soon to a location near you…whether you like it or not! =-.

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  8. Rach Avatar
    Rach

    Hey Amy!
    My husband and I actually talked about these verses the other day. I hope I can effectively communicate they way we discussed it.
    Proverbs 26:4
    Don’t react {or overreact} to the words of the foolish. You look foolish yourself when you engage in their nonsense.
    Proverbs 26:5
    When you do interact with someone who is being foolish keep it simple- don’t get in a verbal battle or struggle with them. It only makes them feel more self important and vain. Keeping it simple keeps you from getting entangled in the mess.
    I know that is not the most intellectual interpretation- but that’s what we got out of it the other night.
    Hope that helps!!
    Have a great day!
    Oh- Our MS Walk was the other day- it was great!!
    .-= Rach´s last blog ..The Wandering Mannerless =-.

    Reply
  9. Tweets that mention Proverbs SOAP: A call for your help on foolishness | Mom’s Toolbox — Topsy.com

    […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by MomsToolbox. MomsToolbox said: I could use some help with my Proverbs SOAP today. Anyone know anything about fools & folly? http://bit.ly/c1hvXD #b90days […]

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