A GENTLE TONGUE CAN QUENCH FIRE
Main text: proverb 15:1a- A gentle answer turns away wrath
Proverb 16:24- Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Words we speak can be a helpful or a healing tonic to our neighbours. Words can provide hope and encouragement. Wise and gracious words are a powerful tool in diffusing a quarrel in a situation that could quickly escalate into a serious conflict.
The words we speak and the messages from our lips should be spoken in grace and love. For a gentle, controlled, thoughtful or caring word can calm the troubled breast and bring hope to the hopeless, healing to the injured or grace to an offender. You can end conflict and fighting by calm words.
A gentle reply to someone who is angry will pacify that person. There is a wise saying, ‘it is not what you say but how you say it’ – Words have power and influence to the listener and how we choose to communicate will determine the actions that follow.
Proverb 18:21a says, death and life are in the power of the tongue and that is why we must use it wisely in whatever form. When interacting with loved ones and others involved in our daily lives, we are eager to speak and slow to listen and because of this, we say well meaning things in a way that hurt the listener rather than encourage them.
Let the word we speak be gracious because it can build and ruin us or our relationship with others.
A GENTLE TONGUE DIFFUSES ANGER
Prayer: Father, grant me the grace to use my tongue wisely.