Fools, Pro and Con

Proverbs 26:12 (KJV) Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

This verse is the last time in this chapter that the fool is mentioned.  It’s quite a display of knowledge and wisdom about fools.  Every time I read this, though, I think of what Jesus had to say about calling people a fool.

Matthew 5:22 (KJV)  But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

I have had this statement by Jesus thrown at me as a proof having something to do with the place of the law with Jesus supporting the law.  That I can deal with.  The issue to me is this seeming contradiction.  Jesus seems to be saying, don’t call people a fool, while Solomon in Proverbs has a long section about fools.  How do we work this out?

Just a quick observation is that Jesus is really not dealing with calling people fools.  He is dealing with controlling your anger.  Solomon is dealing with a general awareness of where people are coming from.

So?  Have the discernment to recognize fools when you see them.  Adjust how you deal with them.  That’s what Solomon is saying.  At the same time, don’t stand there and scream in their face, “Fool!”  It’s how wisdom works.  It’s how discernment works.  It’s how interpreting scripture works.