Jeff Adams

Quite frequently I’m asked how to handle a question someone has been asked. Some questions are fairly easy to answer, and the person who has inquired of me only needs some specific Bible information, the location of a passage or suggestions on making application of biblical truth. No problem!

Other questions, though, can be difficult. I’m thinking of those questions that often begin with “Yeah, but …, ” “OK, so answer this,” or “Then, how do you explain … . ” The very set up of the question implies an atmosphere that is charged with a bit of emotion, defensiveness or squirming to avoid accepting the consequences of biblical truth. Some of that defensiveness may in response to a Christian who steps over the boundary of wisdom and good taste and becomes pushy or just plain obnoxious. If that is you, back off!

Having explored some different types of difficult questions, how about those tough ones that remain? Perhaps you’re sharing your faith in a normal and natural manner when someone nails you to the wall with one of those questions that makes you stutter and sweat. It seems that no matter what you say, you lose.

In the Gospels Jesus was in difficult situations like that several times. The difference is that he always handled himself masterfully. I was looking at one such instance this morning.

Jesus has just entered Jerusalem on a donkey’s colt in fulfillment of Zechariah’s prophecy, and he has torn things up in the Temple once again, overturning moneychangers’ tables and those who sold sacrificial animals at exorbitant prices. Entering the Temple the following morning he is met by a delegation of chief priests, scribes and elders who demand to know by what authority he has done these things.

Their question is legitimate. Jesus has no theological pedigree such as being discipled by a prominent rabbi or having graduated from some rabbinical school. Jesus knows that to answer them on a human plane is to expose himself to the charge of blasphemy. He has repeatedly tied his authority to Jehovah God, and the works he did bore witness in fulfillment of scripture. The Jewish leaders had not accepted this evidence earlier and he knows they are in no mood to accept it now. Most of us would consider this one of those no-win questions. The way Jesus handles this is instructive.

And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me. And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him? But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed. And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things. Mark 11:29-33

Trying to organize my thoughts as I ponder this passage anew, I offer these points to consider whenever we have our backs up against the wall with no-win questions.

• Some questions, even good ones, do not merit an answer. What makes them particularly difficult is the motive behind them. This is the case in this example from Jesus’ life. When good, penetrating and legitimate questions are posed with dishonest or ulterior motives, we never have to feel obligated to answer. The reason for this is because the person asking the question does not want an answer — the question is asked only to entrap or to confirm one’s already established conclusions and presuppositions.
• Leading questions are often best dealt with by deflection, not by answering. In this case Jesus answers their questions with a no-win question of his own. Jesus was brilliant at this. I usually don’t think this fast, but it’s a great tactic when you can. There are other forms of deflection such as quietly pointing out that a question is good and legitimate, but that this is not the right moment, setting or emotional framework to answer it. Alternately, there is no shame in admitting that you don’t have a ready answer for a good question and asking for another occasion to answer after you have had time to prayerfully consider it. You can do this with confidence and control.

Why is it so hard for us to handle these tough questions? Most of us are not as quick as Jesus to come back with an equally impossible question. So why do we feel defeated or embarrassed when we are up against those questions that have no answer? Speaking for myself, I think we are too concerned with how we look, how others perceive us. We love to give the impression that we have all the answers. We don’t. Even when we have God’s word in our hands and understand it well, we don’t have all the answers. If you think I’m wrong about this, read the book of Job. Why do we struggle so much when the answers don’t flow smoothly out of our mouths? In a word — pride.

I was reading another passage of scripture this morning that confirms this and shows the proper response. Joseph has spent a great deal of time in an Egyptian prison when Pharaoh suddenly calls on him to interpret a troubling dream.

And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it. And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace. Genesis 41:15-16

Joseph deals with the issue upfront, making it clear that the source of any potential answers is God, not him. You might remember that Daniel is in a similar situation in the Babylonian court. When Nebuchadnezzar inquires about a dream, Daniel does exactly what I suggest above. He asks for time for prayerful consultation before answering the king.

Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation. Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Daniel 2:16-18

God, of course, reveals to Daniel just the right response. I believe that God can do the same for us if we are careful to pray. If not, maybe the question does not merit a response.

If you have any tips on facing the tough questions, or additional insight from this example of Jesus, please share.