Proverbs 15:1-2
1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
This is from the Book of Proverbs - Wisdom. This is a short verse but very powerful. I have this verse upon on my cabinets at work. I look at it every day and sometimes when I'm ready to not give a "gentle answer," I just look at it so it reminds me and I stop and calm down. Solomon tells us how we can keep the peace. We can use gentle or soft words. When someone comes storming at us and wants to provoke a confrontation, speak gently and give them a good word. If we come back with harsh words, it stirs up arguments and anger. When we get angry at what they say to us, it just increases the other person's anger and grows and grows. You can still get your point across without being angry, proud or overbearing. In Judges 8:1-2, the men of Ephraim asked Gideon "Why did you treat us this way? Why didn't you call us when you went to fight against Midian? They argued with Gideon and were very angry. Gideon said to them "I have not done as well as;you! The small part you did was better than all that my people of Abiezer did. God let you capture Oreb and Zeeb, the princes of Midian. How can I compare with what you did?" When the men heard this answer, they were not as angry anymore. Gideon was not being prideful or haughty.
Words that are mean, scornful or overbearing can stir up anger and there can be very bad consequences. Read Judges 12:1-7 and see what happens when mean words can have an effect and what happens when anger is stirred up. So we should choose our words carefully. The reaction will be different than if we say something in anger. This does not mean that we don't use correction. We always need correction so we can be turned back to the right path. However, sometimes we need to use strong words to warn people. In John 2:13-16 Jesus used strong words to warn the money exchangers in the temple courts. Again, just be careful in what words you use. Choose your words wisely.
