The Christian Working Woman - Dealing With Foolish People – 4

The important issue we must consider is how we should respond to these foolish people. Our normal response is anger and frustration. But what does God want us to do? Let’s see what the Bible says. How are we to respond to foolish behavior? Pray for them. God can change anybody. Don’t ever give up. You can’t change them, but you can pray for God to change them. Keep the right attitude and motivation toward foolish people. It’s easy to become judgmental and arrogant toward them. Remember, God loves them as much as he loves you. Be prepared to set boundaries and protect yourself from being harmed by foolish people. Now, here are some Scriptures that give us further guidance on how God wants us to respond to the foolish people in our lives. Principle #1 – Don’t try to change them with advice. Proverbs 23:9 (NLT): Don’t waste your breath on fools, for they will despise the wisest advice. You may present the most logical, clear, helpful presentation of the right thing they should do, but they will not have ears to hear. If you keep trying to offer your advice, to persuade them with words, you will be continually frustrated. Principle #2 – Don’t give them honor or luxury. Proverbs 19:10: It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury – how much worse for a slave to rule over princes! Proverbs 26:1: Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, honor is not fitting for a fool. Foolish people are easily spoiled and generally have no regard for taking care of possessions. They can ruin a car, a home, and clothes with no shame or concern. Giving them things will not solve their problems, though they want to get anything they can. They will ask for and expect gifts. To give them undeserved honor of any kind is neither smart nor helpful. To give them places of honor is to invite trouble. They don’t know how to handle honor or responsibility.