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." Okay, which is it? Do you answer a fool or not? Verse 4 says no and verse 5 says yes. Is this a Bible contradiction? No, it isn't. "Taken together these verses illustrate the point that no proverb is intended to cover every possible situation. The apparent contradiction in the two proverbs indicates that proverbs must be appropriately applied. One situation demands that we avoid playing the fool’s game by giving an answer, while another demands that we expose the fool so that the fool is not considered wise." Taken together, these verses teach the appropriate way to answer a fool (e.g., an unbeliever who rejects truth). He should not be answered with agreement to his own ideas and presuppositions, or he will think he is right (v. 4), but rather he should be rebuked on the basis of his folly and shown the truth so he sees how foolish he is (v. 5). My recommendation is, when appropriate, answer from the Word of God and not your opinion. Sometimes you do answer a foolish statement and at other times you defer. The Holy Spirit will guide you.
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