Think about the last argument or disagreement you had. The other person made a comment that evoked pain in you, and you responded with… what?

In the book of Proverbs, God is training his sons and daughters to live wisely and skillfully in everyday situations. It’s an eminently practical book; a mine full of treasures! In 15.1—picking up the theme of anger from 14.35—we are told this: “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

By the way, if you’re like me, you have to read a Proverb at least four times slowly before it really starts to sink in. Try it and see what a difference it makes.

It takes a lot of discipline to give soft answers in the midst of an irritating or angry confrontation. It’s so much easier and self-pleasing to yield to your temper, to resort to childish sarcasm, to get defensive, and to start throwing around “hard” words.

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