“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.” (Proverbs 15:1-4)
We all know the saying “actions speak louder than words.” Which I agree with, but I also believe that words can cut a spirit deeply, they harm someone’s spirit. Words can build someone up or tear someone down quicker than anything else.
Proverbs 15 starts off with three of the four verses stating facts, yes facts, about how we talk.
“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”
Let’s look at the two descriptive words in this verse, soft and grievous.
Soft – pleasing or agreeable to the senses: bringing ease, comfort and quiet.
Grievous – causing severe pain, sorrow or suffering.
When you decide to speak with words that bring ease and comfort, you choose to avoid wrath. Not every conversation needs to be a debate or an argument. Not every time you talk to someone, do you have to get defensive.
Grievous words, words that cause pain, bring up past faults, point out wrongs…these words will definitely bring the person being spoken to, to a place of anger.
I’ve been on both sides of these conversations. Neither side is fun, usually things are side that hurt the other person. Words are said that you wish you could take back.
So think before you speak. So when someone asks you, “What did you say?” You won’t be afraid to repeat yourself.
Counted Faithful 