Don’t Lower Yourself
by Chuck Musselwhite
It seems every week there is something trending that is bizarre and wrong. Youtube exists because foolish people are doing stupid things for our entertainment. My kids seem to know who all the sensations are and when I check on what they are laughing at I am often dumbfounded at what they find funny. Foolishness has become the norm, and the bar keeps getting lowered. Don’t lower yourself to trying to correct it.
Proverbs 26:4
“Don’t answer a fool according to his foolishness or you’ll be like him yourself.”
Check out the Resources from Daily Walk
The book of Proverbs has a lot of verses dedicated to dealing with the fool, and none of it is good. Most of it has to do with what comes out of their mouths. This verse tells us how we deal with a fool when we encounter one. If you seeing someone acting foolish, it is obvious that you don’t lower ourselves to their level. The fool is trying to get a reaction from you, and when you reduce yourself to their level, we end up being like him ourselves.
Sometimes you can’t ignore the actions of a fool. They are right in front of you and are intended to push every button you have. It is at this moment where we need divine wisdom not to respond. If possible walk away and avoid the confrontation but if you can’t then do everything to defuse it. Don’t add fuel to the fire by correcting or laughing at them. They will take this as you engaging them and will only accelerate the drama.
As a Christian, we to be different. In a world that loves to give its opinion, we need to keep our mouth shut. Unfortunately, it’s in these circumstances where the best comeback comes to mind. Resist the urge and move on. Nothing you do will rectify the situation so remaining silent will defuse it. Don’t lower yourself to the level of a fool. Like the saying goes: “Don’t wrestle with a pig because you both will get muddy, but he enjoys it.”