Response Not Repartee

(Proverbs 25:8 KJV)  Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.

It is hard to find the balance between standing up and being counted and waiting for the right moment.  I would imagine that we tend to err one way or the other based on our personalities.  The point being made here is to wait for the right moment.  If you speak out and are hammered for it, you know you messed up.  If you remain silent you often don’t know.  You don’t get any feedback.

When I remain quiet I sometimes torture myself with comments I could have made.  The problem is that they are imagination, not reality.  One other place that comes to mind recommends responding instead of being aggressive.

(1 Peter 3:15 KJV)  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

So?  Be ready to answer questions.  Keep a good attitude.  Be very leery of going on the attack.