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lemonrock 68M
103 posts
6/9/2006 9:12 am

Last Read:
12/31/2006 2:47 am

A Soft Answer

A Soft Answer

It is possible as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Romans 12:18

Proverbs 15:1 tells us that “a soft answer turns away wrath.” While it’s true that a humble response to wrath will normally cause it to subside, it’s equally true that some people will never be pacified. Because of long-term bitterness and resentment, the tide of their wrath runs to high.

The only thing we can do ‒ and the thing we must always do ‒ is be meek and lowly in the face of their anger and leave the consequences with God. This doesn’t mean we must say in an abusive situation, for no one has the right to mistreat another human being. But it does not mean we can by God’s grace respond calmly to another’s anger.

Paul stated the matter this way: “if it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” Roman 12:18 We must be peacemakers even if others refuse to be. Obedience is our job; the rest we leave to God.

We want a word that always works, an easy solution, a quick fix. But some things in this broken world can’t be fixed no matter what we do, so we must rely on God’s grace to deal with them from day to day.

Calm, quiet words may not always turn away another’s wrath. You may be grieved because they go unheeded, but you can never go wrong with the soft answer. ‒ DHR

our daily bread
vol. 8