Jewels to Meditate Upon:
"A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult." Prov 12:16
"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." (Prov15:1NIV)
"A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare." (Prov15:1NLT)
"A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire." (The Message)
"Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield" (Psalm 33:18-20).
"I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles" (Psalm 34: 4, 6).
"In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us." Titus 2:7-8
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Reflective Thoughts:
If you feel you have no faults......there's another one. ... If you don't learn from your mistakes, there's no sense making them."
"Isn't it staggering when you think that one sermon on the day of Pentecost produced 3000 people? And we had some cities yesterday where 3000 sermons were preached and nobody was saved. And it doesn't even faze us." -Leonard Ravenhill
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A Gentle Answer (by Kerry S. Doyal)
A Fool-Proven Recipe for Caustic Relationships:
Take one cauldron of an angry person, Stir thoroughly with your own harsh responses, Yields scalding spillage, burns and pain.
As Proverbs 15:1 instructs:
"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." (NIV)
When we encounter hotheads: Miss Miffed Molly & Ticked off Tommy, our response can change or charge the tone & interaction. We can add fuel by striking back, showing them who's all that. Or we defuse the ticking timebomb by wise, gentle replies."
A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare." (NLT)
How to keep an argument going:-
Don't ignore that comment said in anger - Forget forgiving; fire back - zing 'em good
Such is a scorched earth approach to relationships. You can watch the damaging flames of relational furry set in. Smart - real smart.
Or - Plan B - as in "Best":-
Absorb the cheap shot, the hurtful dig, the rude question - Swallow your pride & tongue as you pray for grace. - Speak peace, answer with gentleness, calmly, if at all
"A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire." (The Message)
Prayer: "Lord, as you shut the mouths of the lions & protected Daniel, protect others by helping me keep mine shut. And, as you opened the tomb to bring life, may my open mouth bring healing and life to others in Jesus' name."
More Meaningful Mouth Musings from Prov. 15:
2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.
4 The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools.
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Don't Retaliate - Show Underserved Respect!
Prov 12:14 “ From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things as surely as the work of his hands rewards him”
Most people that work hard realize that hard work not only feels good but also brings reward. Today's Fresh Manna verse says "From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things as surely as the work of his hands rewards him." It's saying that the work of learning to speak right words with a right heart and attitude is just as important as working hard with your hands or mind. The strenuous labor of speaking right and appropriate words when your emotions don't feel like it or when you just want to spew, promises great reward.
Prov 12:16 says, "A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult."
Did you catch that?
The insult was hurled but the prudent man overlooked it. This person is looking much further than the annoyance. This person is looking through God's eyes of love at the big picture of life. They aren't letting themselves be controlled by the emotional stimulus of the moment. Love, forgiveness, godly perspective, and doing what is right are the core values of someone who keeps themselves in check. This person understands the power of giving respect to the one that doesn't deserve it and consequently, won't retaliate with insults. This person has learned let their words and response be respectful and represent God.
We grow in learning how to speak the truth in love. We learn to hold our emotions in check and keep a respectful attitude. We can't afford to forget that godly communication carries a learning curve. It's a process and takes hard work.
The joy is in knowing that in time, having respect for all people despite what they deserve becomes an instinctive part of your character over time and brings favor and blessing to your life.
Don't be impatience with your lack of success in your efforts to have respect for others. Don't forfeit the process and your efforts. Continue working at it till you get it down. And, don't lose sight of the reward and benefit of learning to speak the truth in love. It is one of the greatest aspects of maturity and will lead you to greater blessing, promotion, and harmony than you could have ever imagined.
Oh yes and one last benefit. You glorify God and influence others with your pattern of good behavior and godly speech!
As Titus 2:7-8 says, "In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us."
Used with permission: Pastor Tim Burt - Fresh Manna for Tuesday, June 2, 2009 http://www.freshmanna.org
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