"A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Proverbs 15:1 NKJV
I make no apologies for using this verse on a fairly regular basis. It is something that is very much needed in our stress-filled world of today. How we respond can either bring a smile of approval or light a fire. We live in such a 'Fast-filled' life style - fast food, fast cars, fast check out operators and fast-minded supervisors demanding more and more from us. It is difficult to keep ahead of it all.
All of this can lead us to be stressful in how we handle people and situations. Mothers taking their children to school can be like a racing track drivers. The mothers have a schedule to meet and if you get in their way on the road, you're history. Supermarket checkouts can be a nightmare where people become impatient and start pushing the shopping trolley into your back. Then, when eventually, it is your turn, the checkout operator sends the goods down at rocket speed, sometimes before you have finished emptying the trolley. Stress and more stress. At this particular time, if someone said the wrong thing to you, it could cause a war.
Warren W Wiersbe comments on this: 'Our words can bring peace instead of war, calm rather than chaos. This verse isn't advising us to compromise the truth and say that what's wrong is really right just to avoid conflict or confrontation. Rather, it's counselling us to have a gentle spirit and a conciliatory attitude even when we disagree with others. This can diffuse the situation and make it easier for us to settle the matter peacefully.'
The Wiersbe Study Bible/Warren W Wiersbe/ Holman
If you have a dispute with a person who speaks softly, without any animosity, it is very difficult to argue with them. A soft voice keeps the calm. On the other hand, if you go in with both guns on rapid fire, or like a Kung Fu fighter, with a rising voice of harsh words, you will only end up with a terrible outcome. The stress of life can cause frustration in itself without making it any more difficult.
If a person begins to speak harsh words with you, if you can keep calm, listen and then speak softly to them, you are in control. The other person is on the way to losing control. If you join in with harsh words, it will end with a bad outcome. This is why, Solomon rated this issue as important. Remember the devil is sitting there stirring you both up, happy to cause division. Don't let him. If you are both Christians, then your opposition will know this point. However, if it is an unbeliever that is speaking with you, it would be such a bad witness to speak harshly to them; after all, they probably know about your faith. This is why the devil wants to make it worse.
KEEP COOL
I never like to end without giving someone the opportunity to ask Jesus into their life, or, re-dedicate their life. If that is you, pray this prayer and please let me know:
Lord Jesus, I have sinned and I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today.
In Jesus' Name. Amen
Copyright 2023 Grahame Howard.
dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com
If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE
Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers
Why not order my Daily Commentary from Amazon - Paperback or Kindle
Check it out
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B084G9S4FD/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2
No comments:
Post a Comment
Leave a message