Snappy Comebacks...

(Proverbs 15:1 NKJV) A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

Quick acceleration is admired in an automobile, but the ability to come up with a quick reply is dangerous.

(Proverbs 15:2 NKJV)  The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness. 

Quick answers are usually considered "witty."  That is, "showing or characterized by quick and inventive verbal humor."  But humor is based on irony and irony is closely related to sarcasm and sarcasm is frequently employed to embarrass or even to silence another person.

(Proverbs 16:13 NKJV)  Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And they love him who speaks what is right. 

Quick answers are not necessarily righteous answers.  They depend too frequently on puns - things that were not intended by the first speaker and that add no value to the conversation.

(Proverbs 16:18 NKJV)  Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. 

Quick answers often spring from a proud heart.  But because they are QUICK answers, they cannot be carefully considered, and might be the equivalent of accelerating quickly into the path of an oncoming truck.

(Proverbs 16:21 NKJV)  The wise in heart will be called prudent, And sweetness of the lips increases learning. 

How much better to be cautious and careful with our answers!  The true value of our answer is not measured in speed, but in wisdom.

(Proverbs 16:23–24 NKJV)  The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, And adds learning to his lips. Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.

We don't need "snappy comebacks."  We need wise answers - well considered answers - God honoring answers - helpful answers that are "sweetness to the soul and health to the bones" of those who hear.

(Proverbs 16:32 NKJV)  He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. 

The victories we should be pursuing are not verbal victories over other people, but internal victories over our own spirit.