Must We Answer Every Question?: My Views
Isaiah 53
KJV
7+ He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
With age comes maturity, which is a truth hidden from the unwise. With age comes wisdom. With age comes refinement! These are profound observations that most treat with disbelief and contempt.
When I was young many who knew me will attest that I was a “ revolutionary “ ( and still am!) par excellence I always have ready-made answers to every/any question and they are the right answers!
(We call this “ the ability to think on one's feet” and it’'s a gift perfected through studies and practice! )
I am not blowing my “horns”, nor “trumpets” or “xylophones” ( whichever ) a fact is a fact. Yes, scriptures say let someone “ blow your horn “ yet the lizard nods his head in appreciation of himself after landing safely from a fall from a height. Is he wrong? Not all.
(Understand my “ horn and trumpet “ in the context of what you are about to read!)
There is nothing wrong or sinful in answering questions as I did then, what was lacking then was “discernment”! Some questions are better left unanswered than answered.
From hindsight, I made many mistakes the consequences I am living with today. I made more enemies than friends because where I should have kept quiet I spoke. Questions I should have ignored I answered. I thought then that all men love to be told the truth. How naïve I was! The passage of years and experience has taught me that I was wrong.
I ignored and disobeyed the “ law of seasons” with damning consequences. Read this law;
Ecclesiastes 3
KJV
7+ A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
This is called “ the law of seasons “ learn and obey it else!
Life has taught me much, which led me to understand and adopt the philosophy; “In the midst of fools it is foolishness to be wise !” Something Jesus exemplified when he appeared before the Sanhedrin Read it,
Matthew 26
KJV
61+ And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days
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62 And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? What is it which these witness against thee?
63+ But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.
The only time He opened His mouth was when Pilate acted ignorantly, as a show of power/authority Read it
John 19
KJV
8 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid;
9+ And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer.
10 Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?
11+ Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.
Yes, this tells you that not every question deserves to be answered. Sometimes it is better to leave an ignorant person in his ignorance than to try to teach him!
Proverbs 26
KJV
4+ Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
Jesus held His quiet because when he assessed the audience it would be foolhardy to try to answer them. Please learn to do the same!
Did Paul not give similar advice? Read it ;
2 Timothy 2
KJV
23+ But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
Yes, questions fall into two categories, “foolish and unlearned.” Know these, identify and categorise questions to decide whether to answer or not.
“Foolish questions” are mostly emotional in content, context and presentation! Know this.
“Unlearned questions “ are mostly questions lacking in facts, coming from a “half-baked” egoistic, playing to the gallery type of persons. Know this also
Jesus refused to answer non-factual questions ( lies)! To Him, it would be a waste of time.
Matthew 26:60-61,63
NIV
[60] But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally, two came forward [61] and declared, “This fellow said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.' ”
[63] But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”
Dearly beloved it is not every question you need to or must answer! Even in examinations we are told “ do not answer all questions “. Answer two or three, so even though you could answer all five or six you are told to answer three.
So you hear but you haven’t heard, you see but you haven’t seen; this is wisdom at its best. This is maturity. A wise man does not seek to justify himself by answering every question , his silence justifies and answers.
Oh, a word to the wise!