Answer Not a Fool According to His Folly - Proverbs 26:4

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back”, and in chapter twenty-six and verse four of Proverbs Solomon said, “Answer not a fool according to his folly” where we read,

Answer not a fool according to his folly,

lest you also be like unto him.

The verse begins, “Answer not a fool according to his folly, ...” Solomon began with the words, “answer not a fool” or “do not announce, give account or respond to a person whether male or female who is an arrogant dullard, simpleton and stupid fellow” “according to his folly” which means “in keeping with his, the person's, silly and foolish arguments”. Solomon instructed his readers and listeners not to respond to an arrogant and foolish person's silly arguments. 

The verse continues, “... lest you also be like unto him.” Solomon added the words, “lest you also” or “beware, peradventure and unless you, Solomon's readers and listeners', even so and indeed” “be like unto him” which means “exist similar and in likeness to him, the foolish person”. Solomon told his readers and listeners that they would exist similar and in likeness to the arrogant and foolish person if they responded to their silly arguments. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how we are not to respond to the silly arguments of foolish people. God knows best for our lives, and because He loves us, He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for our sins. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and guide us by His Holy Spirit as to when to be silent if people present foolish arguments to us. 

Next time Solomon says, “Answer a fool according to his folly”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".