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.

Proverbs 26:4-5

I think our key verse today explains another caution about engaging with a fool, even when attempting to share The Gospel with them. Do not argue with them. Do not get in a shouting match with them. Do not condescend to their ugly rhetoric or gestures. Do walk away as needed! (We discussed this yesterday.)

We actually see this often played out in the public square and sadly so. A fool says, or I should say, shouts something foolish; often it is a group of fools. Then some who claim to be Christians shout back. Then the fools shout some more and the ‘Christians’ shout louder and on and on it goes. Who is ridiculed the most by public opinion? The fools or the ‘Christians’? I think you know the answer. 

Now, picture a better and also true scenario. Thankfully, one that is gaining more traction within the Christian ‘game plan’ in dealing with the shouting ugliness of perverse fools. The fools hold signs of hate and anger and threats. They shout and scream and pillage. (That’s an old word that is getting new exposure in our culture.) The Christians stand and pray, sing and even hand out water or provide food. Now who is getting the bad press. 

You don’t think this happens. I know, for a fact, that it does. Just one example is a church I know (not where I live) who sent brave men into the heart of the Seattle encampment several years back that held that city as hostage. They didn’t sing, but they did hand out water and food and prayed openly. But, they didn’t even make the news. They wouldn’t have wanted that. But God saw! 

When dealing with fools, do what you can and when you can. But do not be like them!

I think Paul is, again, a great example to us. Think of his arrival in Athens and his amazing discourse to the Greeks about the ‘Unknow God’. It is called the Sermon on Mars Hill and we find this in Acts 17:22-34. You should read it. I will just highlight the people’s reaction and Paul’s response.

Acts 17:32-33

When they heard Paul speak about the resurrection of the dead, some laughed in contempt, but others said, ‘We want to hear more about this later.’ That ended Paul’s discussion with them. [NLT]

There were fools and there were doubters and Paul discerned that he should walk away. 

Even then God moved!

Acts 17:34

But some joined him and became believers. Among them were Dionysius, a member of the council, a woman name Damaris, and others with them.

Sometimes, Paul did debate and have intense discussions, but with this crowd that included fools, he didn’t continue his discourse. He left it all in God’s hands, as he always did, and God gave the increase among the Greeks. 

Don’t share in the fool’s folly, just share The Good News, let go and watch God move!