How to argue with a fool

 

Wake the Faith up Slayer… This is Garth Heckman with the David Alliance and you can reach me at

TDAgiantslayer@gmail.com 

 

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Proverbs 26:4-14

 

4 Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are.

5 Be sure to answer the foolish arguments of fools, or they will become wise in their own estimation.

6 Trusting a fool to convey a message is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison!

7 A proverb in the mouth of a fool is as useless as a paralyzed leg.

8 Honoring a fool is as foolish as tying a stone to a slingshot.

9 A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like a thorny branch brandished by a drunk.

10 An employer who hires a fool or a bystander is like an archer who shoots at random.

11 As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness.

12 There is more hope for fools than for people who think they are wise.

13 The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion on the road! Yes, I’m sure there’s a lion out there!”

14 As a door swings back and forth on its hinges, so the lazy person turns over in bed.

 

How to argue with a fool.

First rule and most important rule is always stay calm. The more loud they get the more agitated they get, the more calm you are. You don’t need to soften your voice, just remain calm. You will actually see them getting worn out. They typically feed off of others peoples anger… when you don’t respond they typically peter out and just walk away.

I believe we see this when Pilate was questioning Jesus in John 19

"Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?" Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin."

 

Next is break their train of thought. Tony Robbins taught me this one years ago. He was in the middle of an argument and he stopped the person and said have you ever eaten a large bowl of crickets and urine? The guy stopped and was like… what???? But what it did is it created a new pathway of thought to manifest in that mans mindset. Jesus told a lot of parables around the pharisees. He told many that were just completely confusing to people… but it did do one thing. It created a new pathway of thought in many of those who were not necessarily agreeing with him, but listening to him

 

Here is a weird but fun one. When someone wants to argue with you don’t look at them in the eye, but rather look at their forehead and just over one eyebrow. It will cause the person to feel awkward and lose concentration and it also makes them feel like you know they are lying and they in turn many times stop lying. 

 

In the middle of an intense exchange it is important to compliment someone or even hug them. You gotta remember that you don’t know if they are arguing because they truly disagree or if they just had a bad day and are taking it out on you. I love the fact that everyone was quick to judge Mary for sitting at Jesus feet, quick to judge the harlot who was caught in adultery, quick to judge the women who poured perfume on Jesus feet etc… but Jesus knew what was going on behind the scenes. 

 

Next one. Agree with the person in simply saying you are a very smart and educated person who has a lot of insight, so I know you are smart enough to see this for what it really is. Many times they realize they will be calling themselves stupid by choosing to argue with you rather than agreeing with you that they are smart and they do really see what is going on. They may talk themselves into is slowly, but let them have that out. 

 

Finally sometimes just staying quiet is the best way to make a point. Jesus in front of his accusers said nothing. Even while they hit him, spit on him and beat him… he said nothing… and in turn made the soldiers look incredibly stupid. Silence is what caused the final soldier at Jesus side by the cross when he died to remark “surely this is the son of God”. He watched how Jesus did NOT respond to the hate.