Learning Wisdom Through Tension

 

Proverbs often teaches wisdom through surprising pairings.

One such pairing appears in Proverbs 26:4-5 (HCSB).

“Don’t answer a fool according to his foolishness
or you’ll be like him yourself.”

“Answer a fool according to his foolishness
or he’ll become wise in his own eyes.”

At first read, those verses can feel confusing. One tells us not to answer. The very next tells us to answer. Many of us instinctively want to ask, which is it?

Proverbs does not rush to resolve that tension. Instead, it invites us to sit with it.

Two Real Dangers

These verses name two dangers we can all recognize.

The first is the danger of becoming like what we are responding to. Verse 4 cautions us against answering in the same spirit of foolishness. When we mirror sarcasm, anger, or contempt, we may feel momentarily satisfied, but something is lost. We harden ourselves towards the other. We erode trust. We step away from the kind of people we are called to be.

The second danger is the danger of saying nothing when something needs to be said. Verse 5 reminds us that silence is not always neutral. When foolish words go unchallenged, they can begin to sound like wisdom. Left alone, they can grow more confident and more damaging.

Wisdom lives between these two risks.

What the Verses Are Really Saying

Both verses use the same phrase: “according to his foolishness.”

The point is not whether we speak or stay silent. The point is how and why we respond. Scripture never calls us to speak foolishly. It calls us to respond in a way that exposes foolishness without imitating it.

That requires patience. It requires humility. It requires discernment. And it requires a willingness to choose restraint over reaction.

A Word for Leaders Today

This teaching feels especially relevant for leadership in our time.

Not every provocation deserves a response. As the saying goes “You don’t need to show up to every fight you’re invited to.” Some words lose their power when they are not given attention. Choosing not to engage can be an act of wisdom, not avoidance.

But there are moments when silence carries a cost. When misinformation spreads, when people are misled, or when harm is being done, leaders have a responsibility to speak. In those moments, the call is to respond calmly and clearly, without adopting the tone or tactics that created the problem in the first place.

The goal is not to win an argument. It is to protect truth and care for people.

Walking This Path Together

Proverbs 26:4-5 does not give us a formula. It gives us a posture.

It reminds us that wisdom is not about always speaking or always staying silent. It is about discernment shaped by love. About knowing when restraint serves the moment and when clarity does.

Most of us are still learning this. I know I am.

And perhaps that is the quiet gift of these verses. They do not promise easy answers. They invite us into a slower, gentler kind of wisdom. One that grows as we learn to listen, to pause, and to choose our words with care.

Weary and Unpolished, Still Loved

I hold myself to a very high standard. Sometimes that turns into replaying mistakes on a mental loop, long after the moment has passed. Instead of learning and moving on, I get stuck. My focus drifts. My peace goes missing. Being present feels harder than it should.

Growing up in a Christian holiness tradition shaped a lot of good in me, but I also picked up a bad habit of equating mistakes with failure instead of growth. Grace was something I believed in, but not always something I practiced on myself. I often could not move past the mistake. Over time, that has left me tired, hurt, and frustrated.

Lately I am learning to name this pattern and bring it to God. Not to be fixed instantly, but to be held. Scripture reminds me that God offers peace right in the middle of my imperfection. Help, not shame. Rest, not endless self-correction. Jesus invites the weary and the burdened to come to him, not with polished performance, but as they are, and promises rest for their souls. (Matthew 11:28-30)

If you are wired like this too, you are not alone. You are not broken. You are deeply loved. And you are allowed to lay your expectations down, even the holy sounding ones, and receive the peace God is so ready to give.

God’s Chosen People and Our Calling: A Reflection on Israel, the Church, and the Pursuit of Peace

Recently, I had a thoughtful conversation with a friend about the heartbreaking events unfolding in the Middle East. It’s a complex and deeply emotional situation, and I’ve been reflecting on it through the lens of Scripture. My goal here isn’t to make a political statement but to offer a theological reflection, to ask what it means to be God’s chosen people, and how that shapes our response to the suffering we see.

Chosen for Purpose, Not Privilege

When Scripture calls Israel “God’s chosen people,” it does not mean they were chosen for privilege or superiority, but for purpose. God chose Israel as the vessel through which He would reveal His character and His salvation to the world. Through Abraham, God promised, “All peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:3).

Israel’s calling was to represent God’s holiness and mercy before the nations. “The Lord did not set his affection on you because you were more numerous than other peoples,” Moses reminded them, “for you were the fewest of all” (Deuteronomy 7:7). Their weakness, not their might, was the canvas upon which God would display His glory.

The Covenant’s Responsibility

That calling came with sacred responsibility. Through the Law, God revealed His holiness and His compassion by showing His people what it meant to live in right relationship with Him and with one another.

They were to care for the vulnerable and the foreigner among them: “Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt” (Exodus 22:21). God tied this command directly to His identity when he said “I am the Lord your God" thereby underscoring that to represent Him faithfully meant to reflect His justice, mercy, and generosity.

Being chosen, then, was never a free pass. It was a sacred trust to embody God’s character in a broken world. To represent Him faithfully means to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before Him (Micah 6:8).

Fulfilment in Christ and Our Inclusion

Jesus reaffirmed this covenant identity when He said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind... and love your neighbour as yourself” (Matthew 22:37–40). Love of God and love of neighbour remain the foundation of the Law and the Prophets.

Through Christ, that covenant widened. Paul wrote that all who share Abraham’s faith are now his children: “Those who have faith are children of Abraham... All nations will be blessed through you” (Galatians 3:7–9).

Using the image of an olive tree, Paul explained that Gentile believers have been grafted into God’s family (Romans 11). We now share in the same promises, nourished by the same root but also bound by the same expectations of faith, humility, and fruitfulness.

To be grafted in is a profound gift, but it carries responsibility. We are called to bear fruit worthy of the One whose name we carry.

A Moral Lens on the Present

With that in mind, how should we view the violence and suffering in the Middle East today?

When any nation, including Israel, acts contrary to the justice and mercy of God, we must be honest. According to the Law, God’s people were never to oppress or destroy others, even their enemies. Throughout Scripture, when Israel forgot who they were and became oppressive, God corrected them, sometimes through judgment and exile.

What we see today - the destruction of lives, the displacement of communities, and the deepening of hatred - cannot be reconciled with God’s command to love one’s neighbour. This is not to excuse the violence of others; wrong and evil exist on all sides. But those who claim to act in God’s name bear the greater responsibility to reflect His character.

The Christian Response

As those grafted into God’s family, our task is not to take sides in worldly conflicts, but to reflect the heart of our Father. We are called to be peacemakers, to speak truth, to pray for reconciliation, and to care for those who suffer.

Scripture reminds us, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord (Deuteronomy 32:35; Romans 12:19). Our call is not vengeance but love. “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink... Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:20–21).

To follow Christ is to practice mercy where others demand retribution, to sow peace where others sow fear, and to trust that ultimate justice rests in God’s hands.

Our Shared Calling

As followers of Jesus, we have been adopted into God’s covenant family. That means we share not only in His blessings but also in His burden for a broken world.

When we see violence and oppression - wherever they occur - we are not to remain silent or indifferent. We are called to name injustice, to weep with those who weep, and to live as agents of reconciliation.

That is what it means to be part of God’s chosen people: to carry His name, to reflect His mercy, and to pursue peace in His strength.

Closing Thought

The world is full of conflict and fear. Yet as God’s people, our calling is clear. It is to love, to serve, and to hope in the God who is even now reconciling all things to Himself through Christ.

May we, as His grafted-in family, bear fruit that looks like His heart.

Love is...

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

I have had cause to reflect on, and be challenged by, a simple piece of Scripture that is often quoted during celebrations of love. I am speaking of 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. Here we read about the wonderful attributes of what love is.

However, I have always taken a more ethereal view of the concept of love, and have not really taken the time to personalize this Scripture. I have simple regarded it as a nice, assuring reading. I’ve regarded as something I could expect in my own relationships, what I can expect of others in a loving relationship. I have not often, unfortunately, regarded the onus and expectations it places on me.

Can I ask you to do something that can help illustrate what I mean? I want you to look at that Scripture and everywhere the words ‘it’ or ‘love’ appears, replace it with your name. Now read it aloud to yourself.

That changes things don’t it?

When I look at this Scripture and personalize it as an expectation placed on me, not only as a Believer, but as a ‘good person’, it challenges me. And, if I am to be honest, I have not really lived up to or demonstrated love in my own relationships, both intimate and casual.

Yet, we are all called to love.

I want to challenge you to join with me this week and read this Scripture each day. I ask you to insert your name into it. Reflect on it and determine in your own heart how you can be love in your relationships. Some times this will be rather easy to do, other times it will seem a monumental endeavor. However, please try.

Do not be discouraged as you try to do this. I encourage you to depend on, and trust, the LORD to help you. If he has asked this of us, we can be confident that he will also enable and assist us to meet this command.

Remember, the love that you show as you seek to fulfil this Scripture is the same perfect love he extends to us. May the love, peace, and presence of God fill your hearts to overflowing as you endeavor to show his love to others.

For where two or three gather...

I have often quoted Matthew 18:20 as an encouragement to Believers whenever they meet. I have assured them that when they come together, Christ is present. While this is most absolutely true, the greater context of that Scripture is encouragement to deal with difficulties together. It assures us when we do, He is present to assist.

Often we take the easier road of avoiding conflict at all costs to 'keep the peace'. However, Christians are called to be 'peacemakers' as implied in Jesus' words in Matthew 5:9. This means we should come together to deal with issues, conflict, and sin when they inevitably arise in our lives and community. We need to remove all these barriers that prevent us from living at peace with one another.

We should never avoid a difficult situation because it may be uncomfortable. Instead we should face the issue head on, trusting in the presence and wisdom of Christ to guide our thoughts, words, and actions.

So, today, let us bear with each other, building each other up in love, and be intentional in addressing sin and removing it from our midst. Christ is gracious, kind, and merciful. He will help us.

A Christian Response to COVID-19

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A global challenge unlike any other

COVID-19 is presenting difficult challenges to people in all parts of society. Leaders are making tough decisions to safeguard individuals and nations, as well as the economies that support them. Necessary restrictions to protect public health are limiting all sorts of group activities for everyone.

For Christians, this means congregations are not able to engage in corporate worship as they have in times past. The emotional fallout is huge. It ranges from simple concern to outright suspicion regarding the motives of political leaders and governments.

Conspiracy theories abound

With the restricting of the ability to gather for corporate worship, some suggest the Church is undergoing governmental persecution. The government, they say, is using and perhaps even promoting, the pandemic as an opportunity to squelch or limit religious freedoms.

Sadly, this is prompting a less than Christian response by many. In fact, some are actually actively promoting civil disobedience. This disobedience displays itself in the willful organizing of such things as ‘worship protests’. Others defiantly meet in large groups at their local churches. Still others openly defy the wearing of masks and the administration of vaccines. This manifests even to the point of openly maligning individuals involved with unsupported theories of conspiracy and intrigue.

Misuse of Scripture as support

To justify such disobedience, some find ready support in offhand Bible references and sketchy theology. One such Scripture is found in Hebrews 10:25. Here, the writer encourages Believers not to neglect fellowship and gathering with other Believers. To obey government restrictions in this case, some Christians say, would be to disobey a Higher Power – God.

This misappropriation of such “cherry-picked” verses is based upon an incomplete understanding of the very nature of Scripture and its use. A big picture view of scriptural instruction, and the Kingdom narrative itself, leaves no such support for outright disobedience of earthly authorities – especially when they are attempting to fulfil their God-ordained responsibility to care for their citizens. (See Hebrews 13:17; Romans 13:1-5; 1 Peter 2:13-17)

Obedience required of all Believers

Christian believers must always maintain the delicate balance of faithfulness to God’s Kingdom between the present time of waiting and the time when it is fully come. Our calling is to demonstrate faithfulness as responsible citizens who love their neighbour as Christ himself taught.

Obeying governmental health restrictions for collective health and safety presents the Church with an opportunity for a unique witness. It is a chance to shine Kingdom light in an increasing darkness. It is an opportunity for the Church to come out of its safety net and into the world to which it is called.

Corporate worship gatherings are important features of Church life, but such a dependency upon them, as some are claiming, displays a lethal flaw in both thinking and ecclesial practice.

Obedience to both God and human government is possible

Current health guidelines permit public gatherings in groups of fifty or less. In addition, home gatherings can take place with ten people or less. Since this is the case, corporate Church life is not stopped. It is simply restricted. This, however, is not unique to church gatherings. The same restrictions apply to many businesses as well.

The complaint from some Christians arise from lack of familiarity, not a restricting of rights and freedoms. People don’t like change. Given Jesus is present where only two or three are gathered in His name, Church can happen anywhere at any time (Matthew 18:20). It is possible for Believers to obey both God and government in this pandemic.

The appeal to ‘prophecy’

A poor understanding of the gift of prophecy and how to determine whether or not what someone is saying is a prophecy is providing ready fodder for persecution claims. Some ‘prophets’ are claiming this is a time of persecution for the church with governments actively working to oppress the Gospel. They claim government is keeping people from the Word of God and Biblical teaching.

The number of such prophecies during this time is both amusing and heartbreaking. It offers comedic relief from the strain of a radically changed world, while seriously damaging the Gospel witness. Jesus is hidden, once again, through foolishness.

The truth is, Scripture and teaching is more accessible in the West today than ever before. Technology, and the freedom to tap into it, is literally at the fingertips of anyone with a smartphone.

Persecution prophecies are nothing new during times of anxiety and duress, but they always seem to gather a following of the ill-informed. The personal responsibility of every believer is to search the Scriptures and to grow in both grace and the knowledge of our Saviour. The Church was never meant to feed on prophecies, even true ones.

A Christian response

To be a disciple of Jesus is to be both a learner and an imitator. The world right now needs to see some hope. If the greatest hope is Jesus Christ and His kingdom, then the Church must get its act together and speak in unity. It must speak life and hope into the darkness by both word and deed. It must behave as Christ did when he encountered fear, sickness, and need.

Local Believers will serve Christ’s Kingdom much more effectively by engaging in service to the community rather than criticizing government leadership and forming yet another protest. There are protests aplenty. However, there should never be another ‘Christian’ protest over such non-essentials as large, familiar gatherings in a building so we can sing a few hymns or choruses.

Be encouraged, my Friends. Lift up your hearts and let us be about the Father’s work. I bid you peace, joy, and hope in Christ’s name. God bless you.

Illumination

While recently rummaging through a somewhat familiar place, I quickly realized the need for some illumination. The introduction of a mere wisp of light made all the difference between a safe and successful search and potential disaster.

A conversation with friends last evening reminded me of that simple incident and the important lesson it provided. Other life situations also sometimes require a little illumination.

Believers carry about within us a light, the Holy Spirit. There is never a situation so dark that His illuminating presence isn’t there to guide and assist us. There are times, though, when we can run ahead and miss this great gift. Thinking we know best we can sometimes barge into a situation with a quick fix or admonition without reference to God’s timing or an awareness of the larger circumstances. The potential for doing harm can be great. It is precisely at those times when we need to slow down and listen. Maybe the Spirit has different plans and can shine His light into the situation more fully. Taking time to assess what is going on will promote greater discernment regarding the issues at hand and will reveal the more effective path to take.

The light of Scripture encourages us to ‘wait upon the LORD’. Patient faith will rest in the light of knowing that God is in control. Redemption, after all, is singularly his work and domain. The calling to be faithful witnesses simply means to channel His light into the world and the situations presented to us each day. People are drawn to the light in the darkness. It dispels despair and fear, replacing it with comfort and security. Generally, people will also find the right path when sufficient light is applied. Allow God to grow and develop the measure of wisdom He has given everyone.

In love and gentleness, lift Him high and He will draw others to Himself. God bless you as you bear the light of his Holy Spirit into the darkness of this fallen world.