Daily Word: Speaking with Fools

Proverbs 23:9 says: Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words. (RSV) The JPS Study Bible comments: "Some people just cannot learn." Have you ever tried to speak to someone and no matter what you said, they disagreed with you? They just refuse to listen. I have learned the hard way the truth of this verse. In some situations, it is just better to remain silent. This seems to go against our Greek thinking that insists that we impart our superior knowledge to everyone in our path. The Hebraic approach recognizes that some people just don't want to learn. Our response should be to not speak to them just like the verse suggests.

What about evangelizing? Should we not continue to batter the one with the truth of our words for their own good? It all depends on what you are trying to accomplish. If you are just trying to get them to agree with your church doctrine on salvation, then go ahead. However, if you are seeking to "make disciples," then you should desist from speaking to the resistant one as the verse instructs, and live your life by loving God and your neighbor. The best program for evangelism is not the passing of a tract that describes the four spiritual laws. Instead, it is living an obedient life before the world. People notice when you live according to God's laws. As the old expression goes, "You may be the only Bible someone reads today."

Today, don't use the verse to ignore people that refuse to learn. Instead, use the verse today to change your tactics around one that is resistant to truth. This is not a call to disregard. It is a challenge to be persistent and consistent in our walk before the Lord. Remember, you are always in His presence.