These daily posts (and their author) will be on a 3-week break. We will resume on Monday 12 December. Stay strong in the Lord, and in His mighty power! (Ephesians 6:10)
Daily Readings: Psalm 65 and Proverbs 26
“Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are.”
Be sure to answer the foolish arguments of fools, or they will become wise in their own estimation.” (v.4-5)
In an apparent contradiction, these proverbs recognise the complexity of human decisions. Sometimes two apparently identical situations require two completely different responses. Underlying this apparent contradiction lies the unspoken presence of wisdom. Wisdom lies not only in what to say and how to say it, but also in when and even whether to say it.
There are times when we will discern that getting into a debate with someone will bear no good fruit and will in fact only result in a downward spiral. This is a moment to be quiet. There are other times when we will discern that remaining completely silent in the face of someone’s false teaching or foolish statements will lead them and/or others to the false understanding that we agree with their foolishness. In that case the only wise choice is to present an answer to their statements.
The wisdom to foresee the probable outcome of our words is the key to the question of when and whether to speak in response to a foolish argument. This wisdom also helps us to discern our motive for speaking in the first place. Before we speak we ought to discern the state of our own heart, and whether we are responding out of pride (to prove ourselves right) or out of love (to stand for the truth and the well-being of others.
The commentator Bridges wrote: ““Oh, for wisdom to govern the tongue, to discover the right time to speak and the right time to stay silent. How instructive is the pattern of our great Master! His silence and his answers were equally worthy of himself. The former (i.e. his silence) always conveyed a dignified rebuke. The latter (i.e. his answers) responded to the confusion of his contentious enemies.”
God of wisdom, please help me today by Your Spirit to be deeply discerning about the time for silence and the time to speak. Amen.
Dave's Diary 
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