A soft answer

If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.  — Romans 12:18

Proverbs 15:1 tells us that “a soft answer turns away wrath.” While it’s true that a humble response to wrath will normally cause it to subside, it’s equally true that some people will never be pacified. Because of long-term bitterness and resentment, the tide of their wrath runs too high.

The only thing we can do — and the thing we must always do — is be meek and lowly in the face of their anger and leave the consequences with God. This doesn’t mean we must stay in an abusive situation, for no one has the right to mistreat another human being. But it does mean we can by God’s grace respond calmly to another’s anger.

Paul stated the matter this way: “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men” (Rom. 12:18). We must be peacemakers even if others refuse to be. Obedience is our job; the rest we leave to God.

We want a word that always works, an easy solution, a quick fix. But some things in this broken world can’t be fixed no matter what we do, so we must rely on God’s grace to deal with them from day to day.

Calm, quiet words may not always turn away another’s wrath. You may be grieved because they go unheeded, but you can never go wrong with a soft answer.                                  — David Roper

Help me guard my lips, O Savior;

Keep me sweet when sorely tried,

Answers soft to others giving,

Meekly swallowing my pride. — Bosch

READ: Romans 12:9-21

To handle a hard situation, try a soft answer.

The Bible in one year:

• Genesis 40-42