Answering Fools Proverbs 26:5
“Answering Fools”
“Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.” Proverbs 26:5
In 1966, while conducting meetings in Houston, Texas, a “no doctor, no medicine, no-get-sick” charismatic preacher harangued me with this question: “If you believe God lets you get sick and suffer, then why do you go to the doctor?” I ‘ quietly replied to obvious chicanery, “God lets darkness cover the earth at sundown, but I turn my electric lights on anyhow. According to your reasoning, I am to sit in darkness, because God caused it.” Later, as this man was leaving the church, I bade him farewell, with this challenge: “Remember, don’t ever turn your lights on when it gets dark and I’ll never go to the doctor when I’m sick. Is it a deal?” The only reply received was a puzzled half-smile. I purposely tailored my answer to comply with the instruction of our verse today.
Those who follow the absurd logic of this zealous pastor are rejecting what physical comfort and relief one may find in life (see Pro. 17:22; Jer. 30:13; Matt. 9:12; and Mark 6:31). Years later, while again on furlough, I learned that this minister died a “horrible death of suffering” as a result of terminal cancer. Incidentally, he did go to the doctor and hospital. It is curious how God makes us eat our famous words. I have become rather professional at this!
Some of us simply get sick due to our silly negligence and not because God always drops it on our heads. The best view of our sufferings and sorrows is the heavenly one. — R.P.
Prepared by Roger Fulk, from the “Baptist Bread” October 16th, 2021 devotional by author DR. RANDY PIKE, Missionary Statesman, Greenville, SC. With permission from Tim Green, editor Baptist Bread.
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