April 26 | Gentle Words

Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 1

Scripture | Proverbs 15:1, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

Lesson 26 | Gentle Words  

I don’t know about you but before I came to Jesus the last thing that would ever come to my mind when I was anger was a “gentle answer!”  Usually harsh words flooded my mind and the only discretion I used was to pick the words that hurt the most and I wouldn’t even feel any remorse.

After I got saved and had the Holy Spirit living on the inside of me, things began to change.  I remember one time when I was working in a local pizza shop I got into an argument with my boss and cussed her out.  However, this time on my way home I felted so grieved.  I knew immediately that it was the Holy Spirit convicting me for speaking harsh words.  I told my mom what happened and she counseled me to call her back up and apologize.

Over the last 18 years of serving Jesus there is not a day that goes by that the Holy Spirit doesn’t remind me how to talk to people.  Sometimes I hear and listen to God’s voice before I say the wrong thing and other times I say things I later have to repent for.  Since being married and having children I find I’m tested more often, but God’s voice always remains the same.

How are you in times of anger?  Are you always under control and able to answer someone with gentleness or do you, like me, sometimes say the wrong thing?  The Bible says in James 3:9-10,“9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.”  Therefore, we shouldn’t be content to allow both good and evil to come from our mouths.

We have been saved and sanctified by the Holy Spirit, God has promised us a way of escape from every temptation in every situation, and we have been given the mind of Christ.  In turn, there is no excuse to not talk like Jesus.  Make a decision with me today to guard your words and choose gentleness over wrath!   

 
Reflection | Do you talk to people with gentleness? 

Action | (1) Repent of the times you may have not spoken to people with gentleness. (2) Ask God to guide your words. (3) Lastly, next time you’re upset with someone, remember to not speak with harsh words, but answer in gentleness.

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Judges 6:1-40, Luke 22:54-23:12, Psalm 95:1-96:13, &Proverbs 14:5-6. Click here to read online.