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“When a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man, the foolish man either rages or laughs, and there is no rest.” Proverbs 29:9

Over the last couple of decades, our nation has been slipping into greater and greater divisiveness. I’m not talking about the political left and right here (although this is the case), but of a Biblical worldview versus humanism. You may have been aware of the divide as it gradually widened, or you may simply have looked up one day to see a gaping chasm. But if you’re on any social media platform today, all you have to do is scroll to see, read, and hear the venom. Especially in our current culture of crisis.

That’s why I’m not on Facebook. It was probably eight or nine years ago when I started seeing posts from some of my closest friends become hateful to Christians and Christ-honoring organizations and causes. And, due to the fact I wanted to keep these people as friends in real life, I had to “unfriend” them, digitally, by removing myself from social media.

Throughout the Bible, unbelievers, mockers, scoffers are called “fools”—and this is the foundation of our lesson.

As Solomon stated very clearly in Proverbs, it doesn’t matter how you approach a foolish person—with sweetness, righteous indignation, or outright anger—you won’t get peace. Because that person’s belief is rooted in the world and not the Truth of God’s Word, he or she will either mock you for your “ignorance” or rage at you for your “malice”. After all, when we speak words based on our knowledge of Christ, to that person, it simply smells like death (2 Corinthians 2:16).

I’m not saying to forgo speaking the Truth in love—even using your social media platforms to do so. We must share the Good News of Jesus Christ! How He came to make payment for our sins with His blood. How He rose again, beating death once and for all and making a way for us to have eternal life with God. We must love others. We must forgive as we’ve been forgiven. Because, sometimes, we will find common ground, and we may even bring someone to the believing faith in Jesus.

But the Word also tells us in Romans 12:18 that we must, as much as it depends on us, keep peace with others. So, sisters, keep on speaking Truth—it’s commanded of us. Just can’t argue with fools.

“Lord, help me to stand firm on Your Truth and to speak that Truth in love, but refrain from arguing with fools.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Ministry