Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger. English Standard Version (ESV)
but a harsh word stirs up anger. English Standard Version (ESV)
Yesterday we considered how we are to "guard our mouths", to watch what we say as opposed to those that "open wide their lips" and just let things fly. We did this against a political backdrop. We'll continue in that theme today.
In North Carolina and I'm sure in many other areas of the country, the airwaves have been full of political adds with candidates from opposing parties exchanging "harsh words" about each other. It seems that no one has anything good to say. We seldom see a soft answer but rather increasingly sharp answers to each others barbs.
When I was going to college I had a part time job at a car dealer. There would be discussions at break time which would at times become heated. There was one person who had the nickname "Coal Adder". He had a reputation for adding fuel to the fire, sometimes "lighting the fuse" in these debates. Our position as Christians should be to have calmer, clearer thinking and speech. We should cultivate and learn how to "defuse anger" (v.1 The Message), have something positive to say, if possible, and al the least not to add to the fire.
A small comment can easily lead to a fight. May we not be a "coal adder" but be the person who "defuses" the situation. If you have some time you may read a little further in Proverbs 15 to find these words.
"A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, . . . and a word spoken in due season, how good it is!" (15:4,23). May God give us the right words to say at the right time, for His glory.
In Christ,
Mike
Mike
Follow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
Proverbs 15:1-2The Message (MSG)
15 A gentle response defuses anger,
but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire.
2 Knowledge flows like spring water from the wise;
fools are leaky faucets, dripping nonsense.
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