ARGUING WITH A FOOL

Is it wise?

When I was young, many times I heard my Dad say a familiar phrase,

“It is better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool, than to open it, and remove all doubt.”

I don’t know where he learned this gem of wisdom, and I have not always submitted to its inference, but I believe that it was at least in part derived from an understanding of Proverbs 17:28,

“Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.”

Proverbs 17:28 NASB2020

Here are a couple more verses that support the concept that we should not suffer fools,

“One who walks with wise people will be wise, But a companion of fools will suffer harm.”

Proverbs 13:20 NASB2020

“The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way, But the foolishness of fools is deceit.”

Proverbs 14:8 NASB2020

For a number of years I had struggled to engage in political conversations with people that I had respect for, and considered to be friends. My efforts had been trained on the meditation of truth, with the Bible as first authority, and the US Constitution as my reference of first governmental authority. I endeavor to weigh all political controversies through this hierarchy of authority.

These beloved Americans, (of which there are several,) refused to address ANY biblical, or constitutional reference that I made, other than if it could be useful in a personal slight against me. They would directly ignore any facts, or evidence that refuted their narrative. They repeatedly refused invitations to submit factual evidence to support their claims, insisting that they would not engage in debate.

I believe that this is evidence that they are fools, not by my accusation, but by the biblical definition of the word. They are as entitled to their opinions, as am I, but truth is provable. Refusal to provide proof, and insistence that the agreement of many is evidence of truth is foolishness. Truth is truth, error is error, and God is the only righteous judge. Many times we can easily find His judgement recorded in the Bible, (if we will try.) Wisdom is to cherish, and cling to truth, even in great persecution.

I say this to explain why I refrain from engaging in arguments with certain occasional commenters on my FB page. Any responses that I make to their comments are meant for the edification of readers. I have, after many years of begging them to engage in meaningful dialog, come to realize that they are not interested in discussing weighty matters of conscience, and governance in a mature fashion. They simply want to establish their own, supposed superiority. I have no such ambition.

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”

Matthew 7:13-14 ESV

I believe that God expects me to cling to His word. To respect the wisdom of His revelation, and pattern my life, and beliefs according to it. I believe that if we are to obey the laws of the United States of America, we must understand them as they apply to the SUPREME LAW, the US Constitution. In order to do this, we must know what that constitution says. It was not written for lawyers, and law professors to use as a weapon against the American people, it was meant for the average American to know, and understand, and to use as a defensive weapon against tyranny by the few, the powerful, and the connected.

God bless you, Dave