“Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, ‘Well, aren’t you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?'” (Matthew 26:62)
Their accusations were so absurd they didn’t deserve a response. And sometimes this is the best response. Of course, it can get you killed. But with these kinds of people, anything you say, or don’t say, will be held against you. So why play their game?
When we are falsely accused and our motives are misconstrued, shouldn’t we try to set the record straight and give a response? Up to a point. Responding is appropriate if you are dealing with rational people, but when it comes to religious belief and practice, things can get nasty and dogmatic really fast.
“The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so sure of themselves and wiser people so full of doubt.” — Leah Wilson
Knowing When to Speak
Solomon, who was renowned for his wisdom, had this to say:
“Don’t waste your breath on fools, for they will despise the wisest advice” (Proverbs 23:9).
“Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are” (Proverbs 26:4).
Knowing when to speak or respond and when to be quiet is one of the most important skills we can develop. And I’m not even sure it’s a skill. Perhaps it is more a gift—a sixth sense.
“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking” (James 1:5).
Listen to the song: Silence Is Golden
Rich DuBose writes from Northern California.
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