Proverbs 26:4-5 “Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.”
Sometimes, determining what God wants us to do can be quite difficult. We can have opposing principles, which can be found in the pages of the Word, applied to the same situation. That is the case with the advice Solomon is providing here. On the one hand, it is folly to attempt to correct a foolish man. Since his thinking is irrational, it is impossible to rationalize with him. The conversation becomes nothing more than a vain argument. On the other hand, if he is not corrected, he will continue on the same path with no hope of escape. When faced with these encounters, we are forced to make a split second decision, seeking God’s best for the situation. Many times we walk away having a much longer conversation with ourselves than we did with the other person; talking out all the things we should have said. Allow me to give just a few tips.
First off, since we do not know what encounters await us around the corner, we must prepare in advance. We will be prepared by spending time with the Lord and walking in the Spirit. I cannot express strongly enough, how often my morning devotions have prepared me for the encounters I face throughout the day. I have almost come to expect, I will have a conversation where I am able to draw from my morning reading. I have found, daily Bible reading puts me one step ahead of the situations I will face. Prayer is also a critical factor in being ahead of the game. Taking time in the morning to devote myself, my day, and my time to the Lord, will get me in the right frame of mind to be available when ministry opportunities arise. When Paul addressed the Ephesians, he wrote of “being filled with the Spirit.” Morning prayer time is the place to make that happen. As we begin the day pouring out ourselves and our needs to the Lord, we find we are filled with His love, power and Spirit.
Finally, when Jesus was speaking to Nicodemus he said, “the wind blows where it wishes, we do not know where it comes from or where it goes. Such are they who are born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8) Walking in the Spirit involves making myself available to the Lord and looking for His leading in my life. A chance encounter at the market, park, or school recital may, in fact, be a ministry opportunity. Often, taking the time to listen to someone and prayerfully considering how to answer, may provide the open door we need to see a person come to faith in Christ. Walking in the Spirit involves not being driven by emotion or circumstances, but being open to and looking for ways to be used by the Lord.
Pastor Jim
Questions for Proverbs 26
1. Solomon has much to say about the fool. List all the traits of a foolish person.
2. Compare your actions to the list you made. Are there any changes you need to make in your life?
3. From Verse 14- 16 what do we learn about laziness?
4. A tale bearer is one who spreads gossip. What does Solomon say about that man?
5. Choose a favorite verse from this chapter and write out your thoughts on how to apply it to your life.
Old Testament:
Zechariah 7- Do The Right Thing
Jim Gallagher 
Questions for Proverbs 26
———
1. Solomon has much to say about the fool. List all the traits of a foolish person.
From: https://www.gotquestions.org/fool-Bible.html
– [x] A fool is wise in their own eyes (Proverbs 26:5).
– [ ] A fool hates knowledge (Proverbs 1:22).
– [ ] A fool takes no pleasure in understanding (Proverbs 18:2).
– [ ] A fool enjoys wicked schemes (Proverbs 10:23).
– [ ] A fool proclaims folly (Proverbs 12:23).
– [ ] A fool spurns a parents discipline (Proverbs 15.5)
– [x] A fool speaks perversity (Proverbs 19:1).
– [x] A fool is quick tempered (Proverbs 12:16).
– [x] A fool gets himself in trouble with his proud speech (Proverbs 14:3).
– [ ] A fool mocks at sin (Proverbs 14:9).
– [ ] A fool is deceitful (Proverbs 14:8).
– [ ] A foolish man commits sexual immorality (Proverbs 6:32; 7:7-12).
– [ ] A foolish woman tears down her own house (Proverbs 14:1).
2. Compare your actions to the list you made. Are there any changes you need to make in your life?
Yes, of course.
A. I have had a fairly crude sense of humor for a long time, which entails speaking perversity’s, so I am working on that.
B. Ironically, I am quick tempered with the ones I love most and more patient with everyone else.
C. Perhaps I have been getting myself in trouble with proud speech? I can’t really tell to be honest. I just speak what I believe to be the truth, but I am open to correction so long as it can be explained well…
3. From verses 13-16 what do we learn about the lazy man?
A lazy man avoids work by creating excuses, and when one excuse is quashed, they simply create another more elaborate one; such as was the case with the “fierce lion.” Like a door on its hinge, the lazy man is often stuck in a type of repetitive cycle they either can’t recognize or break free from.
I often find myself very involved with something only to lose interest in it some duration of time later; irregardless as to whether or not the results have been favorable or unfavorable. I can’t say for sure that it is out of laziness, but I do feel as if I’ll often “bury my hand” and then “fail to bring it back to my mouth” as a lazy man does.
4. A tale bearer is one who spreads gossip. What does Solomon say about that man?
“Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.”
One thing I’ve learned is that it’s irresponsible to assume you can trust a Christian with your affairs any more than a non-Christian. Gossip seems to have caused me quite a bit of strife since returning to church; which ended upon cutting ties with the presumed talebearers.
5. Choose a favorite verse from this chapter and write out your thoughts on how to apply it to your life.
“Fervent lips with a wicked heart are like earthenware covered with silver dross.”
One way or the other, there are many people who are not as they appear. Someone who appears dull on the outside can be gleaming and full of wonder on the inside and vice-versa.
In college I befriended a girl who’d survived cancer. By anyones standards, she was far from beautiful. However, surviving cancer gave her such a unique and positive view on life that I could help but to fall for her.
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