A Soft Answer

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Proverbs 15:1-11. In this Scripture, we are reminded that a soft answer turns away wrath: but a harsh word stirs up anger. Have you ever noticed how someone’s tone of voice can make a difference in how you respond to them?

The tongue of the wise uses knowledge for good: but the mouth of fools overflows with foolishness.

The eyes of the LORD are in every place, watching for good and evil.

A gentle tongue is a tree of life: but perverse speech crushes the spirit.

A fool despises their parent’s instruction: but those who heed correction show good judgment.

There is much treasure in the house of the righteous: but the profit of the wicked brings trouble.

The lips of the wise spread knowledge: but the heart of the foolish is not wise.

The LORD despises the sacrifice of the wicked: but He takes pleasure in the prayer of the righteous.

The way of the wicked is disgusting to the LORD: but He loves those who pursue righteousness.

Correction causes distress to those who abandon the way: those who hate reproof will die.

Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more the hearts of humans!

We are reminded again in this Scripture how our mouth can be used for good or for evil. In verse 1 we are told that a soft answer will help keep rage at bay, but offensive, hurtful words cause anger.

We need to learn to think before we speak. We also need to remember how it makes us feel when people use a harsh tone of voice or offensive language with us. We need to remember to do unto others as we would have them do to us.

Sometimes it is not what we say as much as how we say it. Our tone of voice can make a huge difference in how the message is received when we’re communicating with others.

I remember an incident that happened with my daughter’s dog that reminds me so much of this verse. One day, as I was arriving home, a thunderstorm was beginning to brew. I opened the car door to get out and about that time a big clap of thunder sounded. My daughter’s dog was deathly afraid of thunder so he jumped in my car and buried himself under the front seat. I couldn’t get him out for anything. I tried everything. I tried to pull him out. I hollered at him and told him he better get out of my car, but he wouldn’t budge.

I called my daughter and told her that she better come get her dog out of my car. It was hot, summertime weather; I couldn’t leave the dog in the car. I couldn’t leave the windows or doors open because it was about to rain.

She came over and with a sweet, tender voice, she spoke to the dog and he came right out from under the seat. I had been trying for thirty minutes or longer to persuade him to get out of the car, but I was using the wrong approach.

Here are a couple of quotes that I thought might help us remember to watch what we say and how we say it when dealing with others.

• “Harsh words make no friends.”
• “A spoonful of honey will catch more flies than a gallon of vinegar.”
• “Honey is sweet, but the bee stings.”
• “If you want to gather honey, don’t kick over the beehive.”

Daily Bible Reading:

Proverbs 15:1-11

1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
5 A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.
11 Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?

Things to think about:

• What does a soft answer do?
• What do we cause to happen when we use harsh words?
• Are you bothered when other people speak to you in a harsh tone?
• What other lessons can we learn from this Scripture?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture in Proverbs we are reminded that a soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Help us to keep this in mind when dealing with others. Help us to treat others as we would have them treat us. Help us to put a guard over our mouth and use our words for good and not evil. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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