August 18
Watch What You Say
Proverbs 15-17
KEY
VERSE: A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
n
Proverbs 15:1
In recent months there have
been stories of prominent people who lost newly acquired jobs because it was discovered
that they had sprinkled their resumes with lies. What a pity these dear people
had not read and heeded Solomon’s advice against lying!
I have a friend whose son has
developed the bad habit of lying. He said to me, “It has gotten so bad that I
cannot believe a word the boy says.” The young man’s deceitful tongue has
inflicted much grief upon his parents.
In the New Testament James
warns us that “no man can tame the tongue,” and that the tongue can cause great
heartache. All of us know how right James is. We have all known the intense
pain caused by saying things we later wished we had not said.
My parents taught me many
things, but I wish they had spent about six months teaching me the wisdom of
Proverbs 15:1 – that a soft or gentle answer prevents wrath, but harsh, ugly
words create a firestorm of anger. They probably tried but I was not listening.
I grieve when I think about how
many times in my home I failed my wife and my children by speaking harsh words
which ignited their anger. The result can only be described as painful
brokenness in our relationships. Thankfully we learned to trust the Lord to
lead us through forgiveness, renewal, and healing. But so many hours and days
of hurt could have been avoided by a gentle answer on my part. Thankfully I
have learned that while I cannot control my tongue, the Holy Spirit can – when
I surrender it to Him!