Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him. Pr. 2:4

Have you ever seen sarcasm permeate and take over a conversation?…or a person?…or a family?

Here is the progression:

Someone makes a sarcastic comment.

The other snaps back with sarcasm.

An onlooker is offended and adds his sarcasm.

Now there is an all out war of words that may go on all morning.

What has happened? A fool was answered according to his folly (sarcasm) and another fool (or two) was born.

Folly takes on other forms too.

Anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk (Colossians 3:8)

Bitterness…clamor… (Ephesians 4:31)

We can do our part to stop the cloning of fools by not answering like a fool.