Does Proverbs 26:4 contradict verse 5?

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Originally Posted by OBW

By the way, not disagreeing overall, just don't think the examples given fit the discussion that well. In any case, they don't give it any better meaning for me. Maybe for others.

OK, let me try to be a little clearer. The Cuban Missile Crisis. If JFK rebukes the Russians there is a risk of forcing a showdown that could lead to a nuclear war with Russia. If he doesn't confront them they will be "wise in their own conceit". If this is the way they behave without being "wise in their own conceit" how will they act if they think JFK is powerless? This kind of risk assessment takes place in a multitude of decisions, hence the expression "damned if you do, damned if you don't". An apt expression for 26:4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
26:5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

Likewise with the LRC. Years ago some book insinuated or stated that the LRC was a cult. The LRC took them to court and sued them. The guy responsible did not have enough money to see the lawsuit to the end, so the LSM/LRC was awarded a judgment. Again, do you say the LRC is a cult and run the risk of being sued when you can't afford to fight, or do you leave them out of your list and lose credibility?

Luke
14:31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
14:32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.
14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

To be a disciple of the Lord requires that you do this kind of risk assessment. In other words, the Lord isn't hiding the fact that to be His disciple will cost everything you have. For example, take the elder that decided to give up his job and become "full time" when RG and BP and WL were pushing "being sold out for the Lord", need for "full timers" etc. This elder may have used this word from the Lord to say "hey, I need to forsake all if I am going to be a disciple of the Lord". However, this elder then learns, after giving up his job, that he must submit to PL, a loathsome man

So what happened? Well, this elder learned that "you have to forsake all to be a disciple of the Lord". Stand by his conscience, rebuke PL, RG, BP, WL, etal and go back out looking for a job. The Lord is faithful. Amen.