15 ¶ By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
There is practical advice in this Proverb for all times and places, for the Christian as well as the tenth century BC Hebrew. I have seen it in my own life and it is very hard to accomplish as you so much want to slash and cut with your words when hurt, deprived of something that you rightfully deserve, or receive an injustice. A soft spoken word is often more powerful than all the temper tantrums in the world. We all know from popular culture that the toughest guys in the westerns speak without screaming and yelling. The John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, James Arness type of western heroes are soft spoken but very powerful characters.
David spoke with a soft tongue to Saul who was pursuing him to kill him and Abigail used a soft tongue in speaking to David who was bent on Nabal’s destruction. Gideon with a soft tongue pacified the Ephraimites.
A prince is persuaded with patience. Patience and perserverance are important traits for a Christian. We are to respectfully make our request and with quiet assurance and confidence expect our desired result, if it is within God’s will for us to receive it. There is no advantage for a Christian to use violent language or outbursts, to demand or threaten. If the Christian is acting within God’s will he knows that he has God on his side. You and God are a majority in every decision.
We should certainly speak softly to each other and kindly.
Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
Aren’t there enough angry, loud, demanding people in the world? Would you not stand out more by your persistent patience and soft spoken confidence?
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