The Wise and the Fool in Controversy

I read a very good Proverb the other day:

"When a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man,
The foolish either rages or laughs, and there is no rest." Prov. 29:9

This verse may be primarily referring to arbitration issues in court (see Dr. Bruce Walke's commentary), but I think that there is some truth here with regard to controversy in general be it: relational, doctrinal, political, etc...

Being wise does not mean that you avoid controversy, but wisdom is demonstrated in the way in which one handles controversy. Controversy will come to any person, but whether the person is wise or a fool is another story.

This verse says that foolish people laugh off controversy as if it is no big deal or they rage in anger and get overly worked up and take it too personally. A wise person doesn't rage or laugh. A wise person is sober and a wise person is joyfull and somehow walks that line well. I'm picturing the fool in two of the following ways: as a cable network commentator barking at someone and foaming at the mouth over the latest political issue or the a-theological hip pastor who doesn't give a rip about doctrine and just thinks biblical controversy's are meant for either endless sarcasm or perpetual passivity.

Being in a meaningful controversy means that there is no time for fun and games and constant cutsey-ness or for those that are going to shake with anger without listening to the issue at hand. The worst kinds of controvesy to be in is when someone is so furious that they don't listen to the other person or when one is so sarcastic and passive that you can tell that they really don't give a damn about you or the subject at hand and would just rather laugh you and that subject off.

Don't be that kind of person. It's possible to be wise in controversy, but no one should thrive on controversy. As the wise man, like the godly elder, is not "quarrelsome" (2 Ti. 2:24).

May God help me be wise in doctrinal controversy's, political controversy's, interpersonal controversy's, even legal controversy's, etc. This matters in your marriage, matters in your church, and matters in State. Wisdom cries out in the streets looking for people in controversy that are wise.