A SOFT ANSWER

    BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Gen 3, Matt 3, Ezra 3, Acts 3

Proverbs 15:1 says a soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

BIBLE STUDIES: Proverbs 15:1-2

I read a fable about the sun and the wind. They quarreled about which was the stronger, and the wind said, ‘I’ll prove I am. See the old man down there with a coat? I bet I can get his coat off him quicker than you can. ‘So the sun went behind a cloud, and the wind blew until it was almost a tornado, but the harder it blew, the tighter the old man clutched his coat to him. Finally, the wind calmed down and gave up, and then the sun came out from the behind the clouds and smiled kindly on the old man. Presently, he mopped his brow and pulled off his coat. The sun then told the wind that gentleness and friendliness were always stronger than fury and force.

Many of the problems, disagreement we encounter in our relationship with people could have been avoided if only we approached issues with gentleness and friendliness. Proverbs 15:1 says a soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Many of the problems between couples today could have been avoided if only one of the parties approached issues with gentleness and friendliness. Getting angry and answering in anger has been found to be unproductive in handling situations. Actually it has been tested and proven that our actions and answers inform the reaction and the response of people we are dealing with. Many have made unnecessary enemies due to the way they reacted to issues in the time past. Despite our past, God could have treated us with His heavy hand. He could have giving us what we deserve which was death for every sin we have committed but what did He do? He reacted to us in love. 1 John 4:19 says we love because God first loved us. Love begat love. Jesus has the right to use force and fury to save us but He did not do that, He opted to use gentleness and friendliness by gently knocking on the door of our heart to save us. Many have been on the right and did not get the justice they deserve all because they approached the other party in anger. Opt for the soft answer approach today. Do not react to things in anger, if you are angry it is better to just keep quiet. It is not profitable to argue or get angry. The Chinese have a saying, ‘he who treads the ground softly goes far’. The sun can make you take off your coat more quickly than the wind; and kindliness, the friendly approach and appreciation can make people change their minds more readily than all the bluster and storming in the world.

REMEMBER: ANGER IS THE ENEMY OF PERSUASION