Mensa Otabil - A Gentle Response
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Well, this week we are looking at the Book of Proverbs. There’s a lot to learn from the Book of Proverbs; it’s a book of wisdom, and it teaches us practical ways to handle life. When there is stress, when we’re tired, or when we need guidance, the Book of Proverbs has a lot to teach us. When you take time to look at the Book of Proverbs, you’ll realize that words play a significant role throughout the entire book. Almost in every chapter, there is something said about the effect of words in our lives.
So, Proverbs chapter 15 has so much to teach us about words. We start from verse number one, and it says, «A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.» Today’s lesson from Proverbs tells us how not to escalate situations when conversations are getting heated. The Bible tells us that a soft answer turns away wrath. The word that is translated as " soft» means gentle, kind, and a good answer-an answer that responds with gentleness and kindness. It doesn’t change the truth, but the structure and composition of the truth is kind and gentle.
The passage says that it turns away wrath. The Hebrew word translated as «wrath» here carries the idea of something that is heated up, something hot and poisonous; these days, we would call it toxic. The picture here is of people who are talking, and as they do, the argument or whatever they are saying gets escalated. It’s getting heated up, and everybody knows someone is going to say something at this moment, and everything will go haywire. The Bible says that when the conversation gets heated up, a soft answer will dissipate the wrath.
This is very helpful, whether in a marriage or in a relationship. When you sense that things are heating up and that the atmosphere has become toxic, think of how to respond. The next time a soft answer will dissipate the situation. Then it says a harsh word will stir up anger. So, when we are in that situation, talking and things are heated up, a harsh word is going to spoil everything. The word translated as " harsh» means something that pierces, something prickly, something that causes pain. You know, many times when we are talking with people, especially in a debate when emotions are high, a word drops in our heads.
We know that when we say this, it’s going to hurt; it’s going to sting. You actually know the effect it’s going to have, and you probably know it’s going to destroy this marriage or ruin this relationship. But we are so much in the heat of the moment that we release a harsh answer, a harsh word, and it pierces and cuts. Suddenly, everything is destroyed. Proverbs is telling us that when we are in that situation, we should not intentionally say something that will cause pain to the other person. We should not intentionally say something that will provoke the other person, and we should not say anything that will boil up anger.
The word for anger there is heat, something that just explodes, and everything is destroyed. So, think about it the next time you’re talking, the next time you’re in an argument, and things are boiling up. Remember Proverbs: a soft answer will dissipate the situation, will cool down tempers, and you will live another day to resolve that problem, even if you don’t resolve it in that debate at that time.
Let’s pray. Say with me: «Heavenly Father, teach me to speak gently and kindly. Let my words bring healing to a hurting world. In Jesus' name, amen and amen.»