“A soft answer turns away wrath, but e a harsh word stirs up anger.”
My phone rang and even before I could get out a proper, "Hello" I was barraged with screaming complaints , sarcasms and verbal attacks. Honestly, my flesh wanted to lash back with a war of words! I wanted to defend myself as we'll as the others the person verbally attacking.
But just as I was opening my mouth to launch my own counter attack, I sensed a catch, a quickening deep within; it was just enough to assure me the path of action I was about to take was not a Christlike path. In actuality it is the Holy Spirit speaking to our spirit. In the Scripture it is called as the "witness of the Spirit" or the "unction of the Spirit." But whatever you choose to name that "quickening" the outcome is to be the same, which is, to be an example of the believer in both our actions and words-including our verbal responses.
"Soft answers" are Spirit led responses that go contrary to those fleshly prompts to "render evil for evil" by "overcoming evil with good!" The "evil" is both the evil perpetrated on us but also the evil we are tempted to yield! Jesus never defended Himself! There are no winners in a verbal war!
As you are being attacked, whisper a silent prayer and ask the Holy Spirit to give you the right words issued in the right tone. Do not seek to be proven "right" but rather choose the words that will reflect Christ and reconcile the other to you and Christ!
I encourage you to follow this path, and to read the entirety of chapter 15. The Holy Spirit has provided a wealth of wisdom in the use of our words. Give God something to bless by using your tongue the purposes it was given, to build up one another and to worship God! Be blessed and be a blessing to someone today! Remember, "soft responses turn away wrath!"
Rev. John Watford
Lead Pastor
nbcornerstone.com
No comments:
Post a Comment