Thursday, August 9, 2012

You Can't Argue With A Fool, Fool...

So, okay... I’m continuing to read Proverbs every day, and on the days that I am truly touched, I am sharing. So, here’s today’s #DailyProverbs 9:6-9.

When most people read this chapter, the “go to” verse begins in 10. It’s the typical Fear-Of-The-Lord-Is-The-Beginning-Of-Wisdom quoted verse. Now, please don’t get me wrong, I LOVE that verse also. I try to live by that verse and I do respect and admire that verse for what it means and what it represents… But there are so many other great verses that kind of get overshadowed. Verses that are incredibly insightful and especially helpful… even in today’s society… Think of the time you spend on Social Media. Think about the times you read comments on news stories, blogs, and other sites (FB status updates, Tweets, etc…) and how people argue. They argue over minutia, over large civil issues, over religion, over race… Honey, people like to talk. People like discourse. People like debates. People like to argue. People like their own way. Sometimes, it gets your blood pressure up. Sometimes, you agree. That's part of the great human experience. Experience different things than you were taught, believe, trust, and know... and that's okay.


Proverbs 9:6 “Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. 7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. 8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. 9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.”
 
But, what does all of that actually mean? What does it mean to “forsake the foolish?” What is required to “go and live in the way of understanding?” The overall statement made here is quite simple, but it’s much, much harder to actually DO and LIVE than to read and nod in agreement. We all say, “I won’t lower myself to argue with ignorance or hate.” But then we do. We say, “I think arguing on Facebook is silly.” But then we do. Honey, let me give you some great advice here: Don’t. That’s it. That’s all. Just… Don’t.

There are many issues that are hot buttons in our society today. We have on the table today issues that are regarding women’s health and reproductive issues. There are racial tension and tolerance issues that need to be addressed. There are pertinent and important LGBT issues and equality in protection, “marriage”, and the right to safety and non-discrimination. So, how do we demand that our society address the issues, without catering to any one group, addressing the concerns of all groups, and maintaining civility??? (I don’t know, but I pray every single day that God intervenes and give wisdom and patience to our leaders, our society, and ourselves…) I CAN tell you this though: Arguing with a fool does nothing for you. You end up looking foolish (verse 7). You can attempt to educate, but a fool and ignorant person will NEVER accept teaching. You can provide facts, statistics, translations, polls, and even personal experience and some WILL listen and process the information and even possibly change their ways (verse 8).

I have seen the vitriol and ignorant comments people make about races, gays, and women. Gay marriage was JUST TODAY compared to necrophilia on a local news affiliates website. Women’s health issues are being governed by men (kinda ignorant of the women to give that power over, if you ask me). Races are still feared and ostracized if they are different and inherently still causing division and derision among what SHOULD be one people bound by citizenship in our country. But, as today’s #DailyProverbs teaches us… Honey, you can’t argue with a fool, fool...


Cheers,
#JustBeingMichael ツ

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