(Depending on the Situation):

“Answer their questions but not their insults” – Anonymous

Verses:

“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:” (1 Peter 3:15)

“Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” (Colossians 4:6)

“not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:9)

“And He (Jesus) did not answer him with regard to even a single charge, so the governor was quite amazed.” (Matthew 27:14)

Example:

Did God change from Old Testament or is it the Same God?

Let’s consider this from the perspective of an enemy of God who dies in his own sins. Will this person be annihilated, eternally tormented or Reconciled after His Banished time in Judgment (Punishment)?

God does not take away life = Does not annihilate life

Even a banished one (cast out from Him) = not to remain such eternally = as He seeks ways to ‘Reconcile’ that ‘banished person’

As the verse below clearly implies:

“We will certainly die and be like water poured out on the ground, which can’t be recovered. But God would not take away a life; He would devise plans so that the one banished from Him does not remain banished.” (2 Samuel 14:14)

Best is, God doesn’t change to become an annihilator nor an eternal tormentor later.

His first state as a “Reconciler” as the ancient quoted verse remains even toward a person who “Died” (please notice the word ‘die’ in verse above) and became “estranged” or “banished” or “cast out” or “separated” from Him.

He makes ways to “Reconcile” back as Scripture agrees Beautifully to this Same Unchanging God in verse below too

“and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace by the blood of His cross through Him, whether the things on the earth or the things in the heavens.” (Colossians 1:20)

Peace to you