Gently Now

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
Proverbs 15:1

On a particular morning as I was finishing my morning crossing guard duties, I witnessed an interesting event. Still standing at my own car, two other cars sped up to a nearby stop sign. Both cars were being driven my women, I will assume they were moms who had just dropped of their children at school. When they stopped they both threw open their car doors and started flinging obscenities at each other. This continued for a minute or two and then they slammed their doors and continued on their own ways. I stood their wondering - do they go to church and if yes - did they really think that, that exchange of vulgarity was pleasing to God? I wondered - Is that the kind of example they really mean to set for their kids? I wondered if that exchange would ruin their days. 

I don’t know what happened further up the street that led to that screaming match at the intersection, but would a gentler reaction to whatever it was have made a difference to these women, to their children and to our world? Yes I think so. 

In the New Testament, really the only ones Jesus uses harsh language with are the religious leaders. He calls them “whitewashed tombs” and “a brood of vipers” (Matthew 23: 27, 33). Every time Jesus got the better of them, they got madder and madder. But when dealing with anyone else: the woman at the well, the woman caught in adultery, his own friends when they messed up, Jesus was gentle. With the woman at the well He talked to her when no one else would. As Jesus helped the woman who had been thrown at His feet up, there was no lecture, no harsh words - just words of love and healing. After His resurrection when He saw Peter there was no “I told you so” no “You aren’t quite as good as you think you are” no sarcastic comments about roosters crowing - just the same question “do you love Me” over and over and with each response healing happened, relationship was restored. 

What about you are ready with a gentle response to those around you? Do you speak the truth in love or self-righteousness? As Christians we must remember we are human, sinners saved only by the grace of God through His Son Jesus, and nothing else. If we are to really impact the world - we must speak the truth, but we must do it gently with the love of Christ. 

This week, instead of allowing worldly violence come from your mouth - take a breath and find a Holy Spirit inspired gentle answer for whatever you are facing.

A Prayer
Father - forgive us when we forget that we are sinners saved by grace and respond to people or situations by spitting venomous words from our mouths. Help us always to speak gently with the love that is only possible by working of Your Holy Spirit in our hearts. In the name Jesus - Amen.