Proverbs 26:4-5 NKJV
[4] Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him. [5] Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
The futility of trying to impart wisdom to a fool is the basis of Proverbs 26:4-5, which tell us how to answer a fool. These seemingly contradictory verses are actually a common form of parallelism found in the Old Testament, where one idea builds upon another. Verse 4 warns against arguing with a fool on his own terms, lest we stoop to his level and become as foolish as he is. Because he despises wisdom and correction, the fool will not listen to wise reason and will try to draw us into his type of argument, whether it is by using deceit, scoffing at our wisdom, or becoming angry and abusive. If we allow him to draw us into this type of discourse, we are answering him “according to his folly” in the sense of becoming like him.
The phrase “according to his folly” in verse 5, on the other hand, tells us that there are times when a fool has to be addressed so that his foolishness will not go unchallenged. In this sense answering him according to his folly means to expose the foolishness of his words, rebuking him on the basis of his folly so he will see the idiocy of his words and reasoning. Our “answer” in this case is to be one of reproof, showing him the truth so he might see the foolishness of his words in the light of reason. Even though he will most likely despise and reject the wisdom offered to him, we are to make the attempt, both for the sake of the truth which is always to be declared, and for the sake of those listening, that they may see the difference between wisdom and folly and be instructed.
Whether we use the principle of verse 4 and deal with a fool by ignoring him, or obey verse 5 and reprove a fool depends on the situation. In matters of insignificance, it’s probably better to disregard him. In more important areas, such as when a fool denies the existence of God (Psalm 14:1), verse 5 tells us to respond to his foolishness with words of rebuke and instruction. To let a fool speak his nonsense without reproof encourages him to remain wise in his own eyes and possibly gives credibility to his folly in the eyes of others.
Saturday Oct 19, 2024
Joey bought me lunch after a long day looking at houses.
He is a first time buyer and it is a scary prospect and he is handling it like a boss!
So proud of my son!
After we were done with lunch, we went to look at a pretty interesting house.
Let’s see if that’s the one he gets.
We had such a great time on this trip. It was just diane and myself and all the kids and I had a chance to spend some great quality time with my son, joey, what a great memory.
This is a very funny memory from my wife and makeup day with the girls. I think this was their way of telling mom that she really is beautifu the way she is. What a great memory.
What does it mean to worship in spirit? The first interpretive decision to make is to determine whether Jesus is talking about the Holy Spirit or the human spirit. The context seems to reveal that the word “spirit” in John 4:23–24 is referring to spiritual worship in response to the question of the place of worship (see John 4:21–24).
This kind of worship is in response to the Holy Spirit. It is the filling of the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) that results in true worship (Ephesians 5:19–20). To worship in spirit is to worship from our heart or inner being.
To “worship in spirit” is to let the true you speak to the true God. It is the awesome privilege of coming to Him with your fears (Psalm 34:4), anxieties (Philippians 4:6–7), need for cleansing (1 John 1:7–9), true desires (Psalm 37:4), and temptations (Hebrews 4:15–16). God’s people were not to let their true lives hide behind their external worship.
When we worship in spirit, God tells us that these are appropriate sacrifices that the believer can offer.
- A broken and contrite heart (Psalm 51:16–17)
- The presentation of our bodies (Romans 12:1)
- The fruit of our ministry (Romans 15:16)
- Financial gifts to God’s servants (Philippians 4:18)
- Praise and thanksgiving (Hebrews 13:15)
- Doing good and sharing (Hebrews 13:16)
- Prayer (Revelation 5:8; 8:3–4)
The Father is seeking worshipers who respond to the Holy Spirit and offer such sacrifices.
To worship in spirit is to worship with “complete sincerity,” and to worship in truth is to worship in “complete reality.”
An idol is that which a person looks to in order to meet the thirst of their heart. If one rejects God, we will look to an idol and in so doing “[exchange] the truth of God for a lie” (Romans 1:25). To worship in truth is to worship the one “true God” (John 17:3) in line with God’s first commandment, “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3).
There is no truth in the Devil, who is “a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44).
He lusts for worship and one day will empower the antichrist, who will demand that people worship Satan (2 Thessalonians 2:4; Revelation 13:4). Even now the Devil sows lies to distract you from the worship of the true God.
Because truth is in Jesus (John 1:14; 14:6), worshiping in truth will always lead you to Him. We can depend upon the “Spirit of truth” to guide us into the worship of Christ (John 16:13–15). His truth sets one free (John 8:32), and worshiping in truth will set us free to worship God as He has revealed Himself.
God is spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth (John 4:24).