Proverbs 15:1: A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath.
As you get older you begin to realize the value and importance of effective communication. Everything in life involves some form of communication: work, school, parenting, marriage, friendship, sports, etc — and as king of Israel, I believe over time Solomon (the author of this proverb) probably began to understand the importance of communication. He had to communicate to his friends, his wives, and his direct reports that were responsible for overseeing different areas of the kingdom.
As you grow spiritually, you begin to realize it’s not always what you say, but how you say it. Even when we are defending our faith and standing up for the truth, God commands us to do it with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15).
Gentleness in no way, shape, or form means to neglect truth. However, it is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Being gentle with your words doesn’t make you soft either. It simply means you’re wise enough to realize that your words matter, and it’s difficult for most people to understand you if they can’t even get past your delivery. Gentle words has a way of calming someone else’s heart, lowering defense mechanisms, and opening ears for someone to hear your heart behind your words. On the contrary, harsh words build relational walls, closes the door to communication, and ultimately stirs the pot of human anger. It’s like pouring more gasoline on a fire that’s already burning.
If we’re being honest, everyone has failed in this area and has room for improvement, especially in highly emotional situations. Do you owe someone an apology for something you’ve said? If so, own it, apologize, and go prayerfully resolve it. Maybe you need to have a difficult conversation with someone? If so, pray about it and ask Jesus to give you the words, timing, and tone to deliver it. Remember, these things may not be easy, but they are a reflection of God’s character.
Comentários