God’s Word Never Contradicts Itself
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Most theologians and Bible critics believe that the Bible started from “primitive and child-like origins.” They also love to assert that it “contradicts itself.” There are others who say the Bible is not to be taken literally.
Ironically, these observations are most often made by professing Christians. Such statements expose the ignorance of the Bible found in minds lacking God’s Holy Spirit.
What does the Bible reveal about God’s consistency and rationality? “For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore you sons of Jacob are not consumed” (Mal. 3:6). Also see Hebrews 13:8: “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.” We can trust in these sound statements. The proofs of archeology and fulfilled prophecy merely add to the already overwhelming evidence of the Bible’s consistency.
One such “contradiction” is Proverbs 26:4-5: “Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.”
These verses are often cited to prove the Bible contradicts itself. But after examining them, we will see this is not true. These verses contain great wisdom.
The two principles stated above are complementary, not contradictory. The principle to use in any given situation would depend upon the circumstances.
Prov 26:4 states, “Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like unto him.”
This verse explains that we are not to degrade ourselves by petty bickering and arguing. We are not to debate with someone who is obviously trying to stir up contention or we appear to be no different.
The example cited for this reaction was Luke 20:1-8. As Christ was teaching in the temple, the chief priest, elders and scribes came to Him, “And spoke unto Him, saying, Tell us, by what authority do You these things? Or who is He that gave You this authority?”
The temple authorities were not seeking advice or understanding from Christ. They sought a response that could amount to Christ condemning Himself.
Lk 20:3-8 show the dilemma that Christ presented to them by answering their question with a question:
“And He answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer Me: The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; He will say, Why then believed you him not? But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet. And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was. And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.”
Had Christ answered them in any other way, a “war of words” would have taken place. But Christ saw their motive and did not stoop to their level. His question stopped them cold—as He knew it would. Thus, He avoided needless strife by not answering the foolish authorities according to their folly. On other occasions, He said nothing in the face of a wrongly motivated or deceitful question.
Now notice Proverbs 26:5: “Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.” In this case, one should answer according to the folly in which the question was presented. Not to answer the challenge will cause the questioner to feel he has prevailed. A good example of this was Paul’s reaction to the Corinthians, who were being led astray by false apostles.
This was not a time for silence. Notice Paul’s answer in II Corinthians 11:23-27: “Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.”
Paul made his point. These false teachers were inclined to boast. But Paul’s credentials and sacrifices overwhelmed their puny claims.
Proverbs 26:4 and 5 do not contradict each other. Rather, there is much wisdom contained in these verses—wisdom we should employ in our daily lives.
Never believe that God was unable to record and preserve His Word without stumbling into what would be disagreements with Himself.
Rule #5: Find Out What the Bible Really Says