Writer Suzie Kennedy explains why there’s no need to entertain fools, even those as antagonising as Andrew Tate.
“Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him.” Proverbs 26:4. This is the verse that came to mind as I observed the latest Twitter scrap to hit the headlines. I couldn’t help but think of the biblical warning as I watched controversial social media personality Andrew Tate sit in his Versace Robe, puffing on a large cigar and delighting in insulting teenage climate change activist Greta Thunberg.
Tate is an agitator who thrives on reaction, and he has found his eutopia through the murky updates of social media. His recent viral video was in response to the teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg’s put down about the size of his manhood. Tate originally tagged Greta in a tweet showing off his gas guzzling supercars and their “respective enormous emissions”. Instead of ignoring his need for attention, Greta hit back with a sarcastic tweet implying that his need for supercars reflected his lack in another department. Greta included a spoof email address spelling out what department she was referring to.
Tate got what he wanted; a reaction from a respected world influencer.
Two million people liked and shared her tweet. And to my mind Tate got what he wanted; a reaction from a respected world influencer. Her reaction did not cause him to give up the gas guzzling cars. It caused him to continue to goad her further and accrue more headlines.
The Bible warns us against reactionary anger as it results in us giving the devil a foothold (Ephesians 4:37). The devil wants us in chaos; fighting and abusing each other. Tate’s video in response to Greta included asking for the Pizza boxes he had eaten from to not be recycled.
The Bible warns us against reactionary anger as it results in us giving the devil a foothold.
While hoping to provoke another reaction from the 20-year-old Swedish activist, he got a reaction from the Romanian police instead. They had been trying to locate and arrest him over serious allegations of trafficking levelled at him and his brother. The pizza box delivery service gave away his address and told the authorities he was in the country.
God teaches us to not act out of spite and that we show trust in God that he will see justice. “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay’. ” Romans 12:19. I pray for Andrew Tate, a man that thinks he has everything in life, because in he’s “got unlimited money and women”. But the one thing Tate needs is prayer. The wisdom of the Bible reminds us “Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.” 2 Timothy 2:23-26.
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