A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. (vs. 2)
We have all debated with someone more interested in winning an argument than finding the truth. Perhaps we have all been that person from time to time. There are some telltale red flags that can let you know if you are being foolish in your discussions with others. Are you more interested in winning the argument than the person? Do you later rehearse (perhaps in the shower) what you wish you had said and how that would have decimated their argument? I remember times when I was more focused on winning a debate than the state of the soul of the person I was talking to. Kindness is more likely to win a person over than clever words.
Do you actively listen to others when they share their side of things or express their opinions, or are you blocking them out while carefully crafting your next point to argue? Is your mind so rigid that you will not consider their words or line of thought no matter what they say? As Solomon puts it, do you care more about getting your “two cents worth” in than finding the truth? These are all hallmarks of foolish behavior, and Solomon tells us in verse 7 that “our lips can be a snare to our soul.” We must be careful to seek understanding; finding the truth and understanding the other person is always better than winning an argument.
