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July 11, 2025 16 mins
Transcript Today's Bible Translation Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 26-27 NIV Podcast Introduction It’s Poetry Thursday, and we’ll Proverbs 26-27. I’m calling this episode “The Refining Fire of Friendship.“ Design: Jason Paschall | Photo: Gabriele Stravinskaite on Unsplash Summary When I used to listen to political talk radio and watch TV talk shows, I grew tired of the constant arguments and the lack of objective listening. It seemed that no matter how well-reasoned an argument was, both sides ended up looking foolish. Reading Proverbs 26:4-5 reminded me of the futility of arguing with fools. The verses suggest that there's no good way to respond when fools say something stupid. If you engage with them, you might end up looking foolish too, but if you don't respond, they will think they are wise. In dealing with foolish people in my life, I've found it best to be polite and avoid engaging in conversations that bring out their foolishness, whether it's discussing mundane topics or gracefully exiting a conversation when sensitive subjects arise. This approach applies both offline and online, where I refrain from engaging in debates and avoid feeding trolls. Switching to Proverbs 27, I appreciate Solomon's counsel on the value of good friends. True friends are like rare jewels, hard to find but incredibly valuable. They offer more than just fellowship and good times – they support us through difficult moments and help us become better individuals. In my own life, I feel blessed to have three such friends: Mark, who has been with me since childhood, Del, whom I met in junior high school, and Ron, a fellow podcaster. I treasure these friendships and would do anything for them, knowing they would do the same for me. Solomon's words resonate with me, especially when he mentions the trustworthiness of wounds from a friend, the pleasantness of heartfelt advice, and the idea that friends sharpen and improve each other through the challenges they face together. Listen to the episode for more! Support This a value for value podcast. There are no advertisers because advertising equals censorship. If you enjoy the Lifespring Family Audio Bible, decide how much value it brings to you. Only you can make that determination. Then put a number on the value and donate here: SUPPORT. The Team Lifespring Family Berean, Sister Denise: Transcript CorrectionMichael Haner: Podcasting 2.0 ChaptersScott Snider: Show ArtJason Paschall: Show ArtLifespring Family Berean, Sister Brittaney: Newsletter Publisher Transcript Download .txt file. Transcript not yet corrected. Steve Webb 0:00There is no good way to answer fools when they say something stupid. Steve Webb 0:05This is the Lifespring! One Year Bible coming to you from Riverside, California and podcasting since 2004. I'm your OG Godcaster. Steve Webb. It's poetry Thursday and Our reading today is Proverbs 26 and 27. The website is Lifespringmedia.com. and I'll have contact information at the end of today's show. I forgot to give it to you yesterday. It'll be there today. Before we read, let's pray. Our gracious and loving Heavenly Father How we thank you for our time together today. As we read your word, I pray that You would bless us Speak to our hearts. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen. Are you ready? Let's begin. Steve Webb 0:49Proverbs 26 like snow in summer or rain in harvest. Honor is not fitting for a fool. Like a fluttering Sparrow where a darting swallow and undeserved curse does not come to rest. A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey and a rod for the backs of fools. Do not Answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him, Answer a fool according to his folly or he will be wise in his own eyes. Sending a message by the hands of a fool is like cutting off one's feet or drinking poison. Likely useless legs of one who is lame is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
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Episode Transcript

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Steve Webb (00:00):
There is no good way to answer fools when they say
something stupid.
This is the Lifespring! One YearBible coming to you from
Riverside, California andpodcasting since 2004. I'm your
OG Godcaster. Steve Webb. It'spoetry Thursday and Our reading
today is Proverbs 26 and 27. Thewebsite is Lifespringmedia.com.

(00:22):
and I'll have contactinformation at the end of
today's show. I forgot to giveit to you yesterday. It'll be
there today. Before we read,let's pray. Our gracious and
loving Heavenly Father How wethank you for our time together
today. As we read your word, Ipray that You would bless us
Speak to our hearts. I pray thisin Jesus name. Amen. Are you

(00:44):
ready? Let's begin.
Proverbs 26 like snow in summeror rain in harvest. Honor is not
fitting for a fool. Like afluttering Sparrow where a
darting swallow and undeservedcurse does not come to rest. A

(01:04):
whip for the horse, a bridle forthe donkey and a rod for the
backs of fools. Do not Answer afool according to his folly, or
you yourself will be just likehim, Answer a fool according to
his folly or he will be wise inhis own eyes. Sending a message
by the hands of a fool is likecutting off one's feet or

(01:24):
drinking poison. Likely uselesslegs of one who is lame is a
proverb in the mouth of a fool.Like tying a stone in a sling is
the giving of honor to a fool.Like a thorn bush and a
drunkards hand is a proverb inthe mouth of a fool. Like an
archer who wounds at random isone who hires a fool or any

(01:47):
passerby. As a dog returns tohis vomit, so fools repeat their
folly. Do you see a person wisein their own eyes, there is more
hope for a fool than for them. Asluggard says there's a lion in
the road, a fierce lion roamingthe streets as a door turns on

(02:08):
its hinges so a sluggard turnson his bed. A sluggard buries
his hand in the dish, he is toolazy to bring it back to his
mouth. A sluggard is wiser inhis own eyes than seven people
who answered discreetly like onewho grabs a stray dog by the
ears is someone who rushes intoa quarrel not their own. Like a

(02:32):
maniac shooting flaming arrowsof death is one who deceives
their neighbor in says I wasonly joking. Without wood a fire
goes out. Without a gossip. Aquarrel dies down as charcoal to
Amber's and his wood to fire soas a quarrelsome person for
kindling strife. The words of agossip are like choice morsels,

(02:56):
they go down to the inmostparts. Like a coating of silver
dross on earthenware are ferventlips with an evil heart. Enemies
disguise themselves with theirlips, but in their hearts they
harbor deceit. Though theirspeeches charming do not believe
them for seven abominations filltheir hearts. Their malice may

(03:17):
be concealed by deception, buttheir wickedness will be exposed
in the assembly. Whoever digs apit will fall into it. If
someone rolls a stone, it willroll back on them. a lying
tongue hates those it hurts anda flattering mouth works ruin.
Proverbs chapter 27. Do notboast about tomorrow for you do

(03:40):
not know what a day may bring.Let someone else praise you and
not your own mouth and outsiderand not your own lips. Stone is
heavy and sand a burden. But afool's provocation is heavier
than both. Anger is cruel andfury overwhelming but who can
stand before jealousy? Better isopen rebuke than hidden love.

(04:06):
wounds from a friend can betrusted but an enemy multiplies
kisses. One who has full loadshoney from the comb, but to the
hungry even what is bittertastes sweet. Like a bird that
flees its nest is anyone whoflees from home and perfume it
incense bring joy to the heartand the pleasantness of a friend

(04:28):
springs from their heartfeltadvice. Do not forsake your
friend or a friend of yourfamily and do not go to your
relatives house when disasterstrikes you better a neighbor
nearby than a relative far away.Be wise my son and bring joy to
my heart. Then I can answeranyone who treats me with

(04:49):
contempt. The prudent see dangerand take refuge but the simple
keep going and pay the penalty.Take the garment of one who puts
up security first Ranger hold itin pledge if it is done for an
outsider. If anyone loudlyblesses their neighbor early in
the morning it will be taken asa curse. A quarrelsome wife is

(05:12):
like the dripping of a leakyroof in a rainstorm. Restraining
her is like restraining the windor grasping oil with the hand.
As iron sharpens iron, so oneperson sharpens another. The one
who guards a fig tree will eatits fruit, and whoever protects
their master will be honored aswater reflects the face so one's

(05:35):
life reflects the heart of deathand destruction are never
satisfied, and neither are humaneyes. The Crucible for silver in
the furnace for gold, but peopleare tested by their praise.
Though you grind a fool in amortar, grinding them like grain
with a pestle, you will notremove their folly from them. Be

(05:58):
sure you know the condition ofyour flocks give careful
attention to your herds, forriches do not endure forever.
and a crown is not secure forall generations. When the hay is
removed and new growth appears,and the grass from the hills is
gathered in the lambs willprovide you with clothing and

(06:18):
the goats with the price of afield. You will have plenty of
goat's milk to feed your familyand to nourish your female
servants.
I've got comments on bothproverbs 26 and 27. Today 26 I
used to listen to political talkradio and watch political TV
talk shows but I got tired ofthe arguing back and forth. You

(06:41):
see, I noticed that no matterhow logical or well thought out
an argument was on either side.seldom if ever was an opponent
persuaded to listen objectively.and most of the time both sides
ended up looking foolish. Sowhen I read verses four and five
in chapter 26, today I wasreminded how silly it is to

(07:02):
argue with a fool. Hear theverses again? Do not Answer a
fool according to his folly oryou yourself will be just like
him, Answer a fool according tohis folly or he will be wise in
his own eyes. well, I like theway the easy to read version
renders these two verses, thereis no good way to answer fools

(07:23):
when they say something stupid.If he answered them, then you
too will look like a fool. Ifyou don't answer them, they'll
think they're smart. So what arewe to do? I guess it partly
depends on the situation, right?If possible, I think it's a good
idea to avoid the foolaltogether. But if that isn't
possible, then don't engage themin conversation that brings out

(07:46):
the foolish in them. There arepeople in my life whom I
consider to be foolish. Come on,let's be honest here. Most of us
have this type of person in ourlives that we're forced to have
contact with. My way of dealingwith his people is to just be
polite. We talk about theweather or rather mundane things
that don't really matter.Because I know that if we get

(08:06):
into the cheap water, nothingbut trouble will ensue. and if
they bring up a subject that Ithink will go the wrong way,
I'll just smile politely and letthem drone on until I can
gracefully make an exit. I dothe same thing online. By the
way. I don't engage in debatesthere. Nobody ever has their
mind changed by arguing online.It's a waste of time. As they

(08:30):
say, Don't feed the trolls. Allright on proverbs 27. I like
that Solomon spent some timegiving counsel to his son about
the importance of good friends,like a rare jewel, truly good
friends are hard to find. Butwhen you do find them, they're
much more valuable than evenjewels, because more than

(08:51):
bringing fellowship and goodtimes, they can help you through
difficult times. They can helpmake a better person out of you.
and sometimes God can use themto speak his words into your
life. I consider myself trulyblessed because I have three
such friends in my life. One ofthem has been a part of my life
since I was about 10 years old,probably even eight or nine. His

(09:14):
name is Mark. The second I metwhen we were in junior high
school. That's still the husbandof Kathy whom we've prayed for
many, many times on the show.and there's nobody alive today
that I've known longer thanthese two. The third jewel of a
friend of mine is a fellowpodcaster. We met in 2005. and
for a long time we were friendsbut not particularly close. But

(09:37):
over the last couple of years,we've had a standing date to
talk via video at least twoSaturdays a month. Sometimes
we'll talk for an hour sometimeswe'll talk three or four or five
hours. and we've reallydeveloped a deep, deep
friendship. His name is Ron. Itreasure all three of these guys
and I do anything for them. andI think they do the same for me.

(09:59):
I consider myself a very blessedman to have each one of them in
my life. So let's take a look atthree of these verses that deal
with friendship from chapter 27.Verse six says, wounds from a
friend can be trusted, but anenemy multiplies kisses. What
that means is a true friend isone who's willing to risk
hurting us if it means thatwe'll be better for the

(10:21):
correction. and enemies kissesare just lies. Remember, Judas
betrayed Jesus with a kiss.Verse nine says, perfume and
incense bring joy to the heartand the pleasantness of a friend
springs from their heartfeltadvice. This verse is sort of a
partner to the last verse. Whena friend offers kind words of

(10:43):
advice from a heart of love.It's as pleasant as a good
perfume and then dropping downto verse 17. That says, As iron
sharpens iron, so one personsharpens another. This is sort
of an opposite of the friendshipcoin. Verse nine talked about
the kind words of advice beingas pleasant as a good perfume.

(11:04):
But when iron sharpens iron,there is grinding on the wheel,
heavy hammers striking the ironand always sparks fly. The iron
being prepared goes through abit of stress, pounding and
abrasion. If the iron could feelthere would be pain involved.
But the end product is betterand more useful. When a friend

(11:26):
sharpens a friend, it can be adifficult process for one or
both of them. But in the end,both can be better off. Do you
have a friend like that? Tell meabout them. At the end of
today's show, I'll have thevarious ways you can contact me
and of course you can alwayssend to boostagram to tell me
what to think. Tomorrow will beprophecy Friday and will read

(11:47):
the entire book of Obadiah.

Jingle (11:52):
Now it's time for the boost to boost to boost
boostagram karna boostagramcorner. I don't know a thing
about crypto.

Steve Webb (11:59):
That's all right. You don't need to know. I got a
500 sat boostagram from fountainuser number 2558. and they said
thank you. well, thank you 2558.You know, boostagram had been a
bit sparse lately. Maybe I'mjust not saying anything worth
boosting. Let me know if youagree or disagree with my
comments on the booster grams.But I got a really good

(12:19):
boostagram from the Lovely LadyLeeAnn, this past Tuesday, we
read Second Chronicles sixthrough 10, which said, If my
people who are called by myname, humble themselves and pray
and seek my face and turn fromtheir wicked ways, then I will
hear from heaven and willforgive their sin and heal their
land. well, instead of 500, sadboostagram. and she said,

(12:40):
Let's start our own Lifespring714 club as in Second Chronicles
714. She said pray for thecountry and the world. Set those
alarms Humble yourselves andpray seek God's favor. well, I
think that's a great idea. Whatis the 714 Club? well, like she
said, set an alarm on yourdevice for 7:14am or pm or both.

(13:03):
and when the alarm goes off,take some time to do a Second
Chronicles 714 says, Let'shumble ourselves and seek His
face. Ask Him to reveal to youthe things in your life that He
wants you to forsake to turnfrom to repent off, and pray for
your nation wherever you are. Ibelieve that God will honor that
beloved, at a minimum God willbegin to bring changes into your

(13:25):
life as you faithfully make timeto meet with him in this kind of
prayer. Will you do that? JoinLeeAnn and I and I'd love it if
you would let me know thatyou're on board with this, email
me at steve@lifespringmedia.comor send to boostagram. When you
email me put 714 club in thesubject line. and as you send
your emails or boostagram. AndI'll read your name on the show

(13:47):
and I'll create a 714 page atthe website. If you want to
remain anonymous. That's okay,just let me know. But let's see
how many in the Lifespringfamily are willing to do this.
Join the 714 Club today. Youknow a weekly donation can be a
painless way to support the showand I'm very thankful when you
sign up for one. You can alsosign up for a monthly or

(14:08):
quarterly donation as well. Idon't take any advertisers on
the show. So it's up to you theLifespring family to support it.
Whatever works best for you. Youdecide the amount and the
frequency based on the value youreceive from the show. Pray
about it. Ask the Lord what hewould have you do. Are you
willing to help keep the Showcoming to you? When you support
the show? I will thank you and Ibelieve that God will bless you

(14:30):
as you do.

Jingle (14:31):
Lifespringmedia.com/support

Steve Webb (14:46):
Remember, Sunday will be the next time of prayer
requests and praises on theshow. So if you have something
that you would like theLifespring family to pray with
you or for you about here's howto let me know. To leave a voice
message call the Lifespringfamily Hotline at plus one
19517328511 Or if you prefer totype your message for prayer
requests and praises, go toprayer dot Lifespring media.com

(15:09):
and for comments or questions goto comment dot
Lifespringmedia.com Then you caneven do it the old school way by
sending an email to me atsteve@lifespringmedia.com dot
com. Thanks to Sister DeniseMichael Haner Scott Snider,

(15:30):
Jason Paschall, today's show artartist and sister Brittaney for
their donations of time andtalent. and Thanks for the
booster grams. I enjoyed ourtime together today. Remember
the 714 Club? Let me know ifyou'll be joining. I'll see you
tomorrow. Until then, may Godbless you richly. My name is
Steve Webb. Bye.

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