Proverbs 15 - 5.13.22

Scripture - What stood out?

Proverbs 15:1

A soft answer turns away wrath,

    but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Observation - What does it say?

One of six verses in this chapter that have to do with the words that come out of your mouth. 

Understanding - What does it mean?

“Some people are so rude.” My co-worker whispered to me as she peered over my cubicle. “Some people act like they are all that - church going - but then they get in here and they are so rude.”

I happen to be a church goer and thankfully I wasn’t the one upsetting my colleague. Still, it made me sad to hear a person defame an entire body of followers over one moment in one professional relationship. And it also made me sad that it had gotten to that point in their working relationship.

2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,

    but the mouths of fools pour out folly.

4A gentle tongue is a tree of life,

    but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

7The lips of the wise spread knowledge;

    not so the hearts of fools.

23To make an apt answer is a joy to a man,

    and a word in season, how good it is!

28The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,

    but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

These are the other five verses pertaining to our speech in this chapter.

Having read proverbs earlier in the day I knew the Lord was sharpening me with this moment to respond. And so I boldly proclaimed, “I’m sorry to hear that.”

Life Application - How can I apply this to my life today?

Lord please forgive me if in my timidity I created an environment that was inviting for this kind of behavior and talk around me. Please forgive my own ineptitude. I pray that my co-workers are able to resolve their issues. I pray that you would teach me how to use my words more wisely from now on. Please highlight the areas of my own speech patterns and relational habits that might invite such behavior from my peers. Please strike them all down. Please highlight the areas of my behavior that communicate folly and perverseness and evil. Please Lord strike that all down too. Please turn me into a man that spreads knowledge, thinking before I speak, and responding gently. In the name of Jesus do I pray. Amen.

-kenneth lee