A Soft Answer Turns Away Wrath - Proverbs 15:1

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “the king's favor is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causes shame”, and in chapter fifteen and verse one of Proverbs Solomon said, “a soft answer turns away wrath” where we read,

A soft answer turns away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

The verse begins, “A soft answer turns away wrath:” Solomon began with the words, “a soft answer” or “a weak, tender and delicate response or reply” “turns away wrath” which means “renders, recompenses, leads and makes heated rage, hot displeasure, indignation and anger diminish and go away”. Solomon said a tender and delicate response diminishes heated rage.

The verse goes on to say, “but grievous words stir up anger.” Solomon continued with the words, “but grievous words” or “however, notwithstanding, nonetheless and moreover painful, hurtful, hard and offensive speeches, utterances, declarations and proclamations” “stir up anger” which means “goes, shoots and springs forth wrath that wrinkles the nose and nostrils”. Solomon said painful and offensive speech causes a person to become filled with demonstrative wrath.

When we think through Solomon's words in this verse, we discover how to respond to an “angry” person. Speak softly, reply quietly and use tender words. If we rise up in “anger” ourselves and begin to speak in hard and offensive ways, it will be like stoking a fire that raises the temperature of the conversation. God knows us and loves us. He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for our sins, even the angry ones, and when we submit to Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and help us through His Holy Spirit to know how to respond to “wrath-filled” people and how not to “stir” them up in “anger”.

Next time Solomon says, “the tongue of the wise uses knowledge aright”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".