Dealing with the foolish…

Proverbs 26:4-5 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.  Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.  Answer or answer not?  Before you answer consider this… it is the grace of God that you and I are not the fool!  Remember also, if you must answer… Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.  Before we respond to those who are acting or speaking in a foolish way, we should check our motives.   Are we genuinely trying to help this person?  Will the outcome make the situation better or worse?  Is it possible that this confrontation could bring Glory to God?  Scripture teaches us that if we lack wisdom,  we can ask of God.  It takes wisdom and discernment to know how and when or whether to deal with a situation at all.  Our Lord desires to provide the needed wisdom.   Most, if not all of us have acted or spoken foolishly somewhere along the way.  Before you go around calling someone a fool, consider this passage…Matthew 5:22  But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.  Strong language,  from a loving Savior.
Amen.  Pastor