Choosing Silence: Wisdom from Proverbs 26:4
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
Proverbs 26:4 (KJV)
A fool will blurt out all kinds of ignorance, seeking to provoke or entangle you in meaningless arguments. If you choose to respond, you risk becoming like them—caught up in foolishness and losing your peace. There is no peace in foolish conversations.
Some people ask questions they shouldn’t or make provocative statements just to see your reaction. Not every question or comment deserves an answer. Remember, Jesus remained silent before His accusers, showing that wisdom sometimes means saying nothing at all.
Guarding Your Heart and Peace
Proverbs 4:23 (KJV) reminds us, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” When we engage in foolish conversations, we allow negativity to enter our hearts, disrupting our peace and joy. Choosing not to engage protects our emotional and spiritual well-being.
Guarding your heart means setting boundaries on what you listen to and how you respond. It’s okay to walk away or remain silent when someone is trying to provoke you. Your peace is more valuable than winning an argument.
Discernment Through the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit grants discernment, helping us recognize when words will be fruitful and when silence is the wiser choice. John 16:13 (KJV) says, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth…” Through prayer and closeness with God, we can learn to sense when a conversation is leading nowhere.
We don’t have to prove ourselves to anyone. God fights for us, and He sees the truth. Silence, guided by the Holy Spirit, can be a powerful testimony of faith and trust in God’s justice.
Reflection Questions:
• When have you been tempted to respond to foolishness? How did it affect your peace?
• How can you practice wisdom in your speech this week?
• What steps can you take to better guard your heart and peace?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, grant me the wisdom to know when to speak and when to be silent. Help me guard my heart and maintain my peace. Holy Spirit, guide me in discernment, so I may reflect Your love and wisdom in every conversation. I trust You to fight my battles and to bring truth to light. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thank you for reading. God bless you!
All Scripture in Steps Towards Eternity Daily Devotional is from the King James Bible. (KJV)
Scriptures marked KJV are taken from the KING JAMES VERSION (KJV): KING JAMES VERSION, public domain in The United States. Pathway365 is based in the United States and is governed by its laws. Outside of the United States, you’ll need to check the copyright laws in your country before use.
Scripture quotations from The Authorized (King James) Version. Rights in the Authorized Version in the United Kingdom are vested in the Crown. Reproduced by permission of the Crown’s patentee, Cambridge University Press