Chasing Truth™: Read the Bible Cover to CoverSample

Soft Answers

Proverbs 15:1

Watching my daughter answer softly and calmly when her fiery, strong-willed 3-year-old angrily insists on his own way melts my heart and gives me a first-hand example of how “a soft answer” can “turn away wrath” (Proverbs 15:1, NKJV). Sometimes it takes a minute or two for the de-escalation to succeed, but it does eventually work. No one, toddler or adult, wants to rant alone. If no one joins our anger party, we tend to ratchet down the drama and calm ourselves. 

This simple but magnificent proverb is taught in households, churches, and even businesses because it works. How mighty the tongue, this tiny member of our bodies, is! We can heal with it, laugh with it, encourage and support with it. We can also slice and dice, stir up a crowd, inflict damage, and kill the soul with it. Wars have been declared through heated exchanges and angry words. A calm answer during an angry debate can be an entire game-changing move. 

We all know this and have seen it in action. The problem is applying it to our own lives when someone rages at us or reacts unfairly in anger. Jesus ultimately gave us the most beautiful example when He responded during the mockery of a trial prior to His crucifixion. When the leaders and mob hurled angry accusations and mocked Him, He remained silent, refusing to be pulled into the emotional drama. 

Harsh words stir up anger. Soft words calm the situation and offer hope that things will be OK. We all struggle with our responses at times. Have you experienced a situation when your words came out harsh, and now you regret it? Take time to call, text, or write a little note to apologize. Take a moment to pray for God’s presence to strengthen you in this area. He can help you offer a soft answer when anger flares.