Provérbios 15

Provérbios 15

Morgan - Proverbs 15:1 - A Still, Small Voice - April 10 - The cold, hard eyes of Adolf Hitler locked onto Martin Niemöller, but the courageous clergyman didn’t flinch. “We, too, as Christians and churchmen, have a responsibility to the German people,” said Neimoller. “That responsibility was entrusted to us by God, and neither you nor anyone in this world has the power to take it from us.” The Fuhrer angrily turned away. That evening Neimoller’s rectory was ransacked, and a bomb later went off in his hall. Shortly after, Neimoller mounted the pulpit of his church in Berlin, saying, “It is a testing time, and God is giving Satan a free hand.” In June, 1937, Neimoller was seized by the Gestapo and held in solitary confinement until his trial the following February. His situation was perilous, for the indictment against him comprised fourteen typewritten pages. On the morning of his trial, he was led from his cell by a green-uniformed official. Through eerie underground passageways they went, the two of them, from the prison to the Nazi court. A sense of terror overwhelmed Neimoller, a dread for himself, his family, his church. He feared the death camps. The maze of tunnels was dark and silent but for the echoes of their footsteps. As the two men ascended their last flight of stairs, Neimoller seemed to hear a voice, hushed and whispered, repeating some words. He strained to listen, and they came again more clearly. “The name of the Lord is a strong tower,” (Pr 18:10-note) said the voice. “The righteous run to it and are safe.” It was the guard, speaking under his breath. Neimoller gave no sign of hearing the words, but from that moment his fear was gone, replaced by an indescribable peace and assurance that never left him, even during the next seven years of suffering, even through his darkest days at Dachau concentration camp. (From This Verse- 365 Inspiring Stories About the Power of God's Word- Robert J. Morgan) Biblical Illustrator - Taking a stroll in the country one bright spring morning, sudden turn in the road brought me to a clear, running stream. A little rustic bridge was thrown across it, and the whole scene formed such a pretty picture, I stopped to gaze upon it. While thus engaged a steady-looking errand-boy came posting over the bridge, with a shallow basket full of packages hanging on his arm. At the same instant a merry little lad appeared in the opposite direction, and carelessly running past the other, inadvertently pushed against his basket, and knocking it over, more than half the contents were sent rolling in the dust. The colour mounted to the errand-boy's cheeks in a moment — his eyes flashed, he threw down the basket, and prepared to avenge the affront and give battle-royal to his adversary. The innocent author of the mischief, however, looked up in his face with a pleasant smile, and exclaimed, "Now, really, I'm so sorry; but I'll help you to pick them all up again as fast as I can, and you see it wasn't as if I'd done it on purpose!" All anger thereupon vanished from the countenance of the aggrieved party, who was not one of those implacable beings on whom "a soft answer" is thrown away. The two boys set cheerfully to work, and soon replaced the fallen goods, after which, with light hearts, they went whistling on their different roads. I pursued mine, musing on the wisdom of the cottage lad, and thinking how many quarrels, great and small, might be avoided by timely acknowledgment and ready explanation. There seemed something beyond mere good-nature in our little rustic; was not perhaps his simple reply an "answer of the tongue from the Lord"? Longman - The proverb speaks to the most effective way to interact during a disagreement or argument. Though the sage does not shirk from receiving a rebuke when necessary (17:10), it is more typically the case that a soft or tender response will create the conditions that allow for a fruitful conversation. On the other hand, if a person responds with a comment that evokes pain in the other person, then that other person will respond defensively and angrily, so no dialogue can continue. The sage is well aware that there are some who will respond angrily or defensively no matter what, and for cases like this, the recommendation is not to engage those persons at all (26:4). This proverb fits in with the general teaching in Proverbs that coolheadedness is superior to hotheadedness. This proverb also illustrates the book’s concern for social cohesion. The proper response is one that maintains and promotes relationship. — Ray Ortlund asks - What is the wise response to an angry person who says something cruel, false or demanding? Proverbs 15:1 helps us in those awkward moments at home, at work, in our churches. The key is “a soft answer.” So, you’re standing there, stunned by those words that have just exploded in your face. In that instant of decision, as your mind is forming a response, “a soft answer” is the category you need. What is that? The word “soft” means tender, delicate, gentle, even weak. We don’t like being weak, especially when we find ourselves in the crosshairs of anger. We would rather justify ourselves. It is hard to be wronged. It is doubly hard to be wronged and not fight back but respond softly. Of course, if the angry person is a heretic, bent on wrecking your church, he or she must be confronted strongly. But if that person is not a danger but only immature, then a tender, delicate, soft, weak answer might help that person see things in a new way. Maybe not. Maybe nothing will help. When God Himself answered Jonah’s anger softly, Jonah wasn’t satisfied (Jonah 4:1–11). But with the wisdom of Proverbs 15:1, the tension in the air might not escalate. The awkward moment might even be turned into something positive. But dishing out anger in response to anger will surely go badly. Here is what we can always expect: “a harsh word stirs up [more] anger.” A harsh – literally, “painful” – response can include words with sharp edges, a tone of sarcasm, implied threats of retaliation. There are many ways for the encounter to escalate quickly. God Gets the Last Word - The Bible gives us many encouragements to restrain ourselves when people are unkind. For example, “You shall reason frankly with your neighbor” (Leviticus 19:17). “Let your reasonableness be known to all” (Philippians 4:4). “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts” (Colossians 3:15). Most wonderfully, we have in our Savior the perfect example of wisdom: “When Christ was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly” (1Peter 2:23). That helps, doesn’t it? It helps to remember that God sees, and God judges justly. Sometimes people judge unjustly. They don’t mean to. They just do. But God always judges justly. So, we don’t have to get in the last word. On that great and final day, God will finish every conversation in this life that didn’t go well. He will do so with perfect justice, fully satisfying to every redeemed heart. Let’s trust him for that now, whenever we are under this kind of pressure. Venting is the world’s foolish way, intensifying conflict. Restraint is the Lord’s wise way, spreading shalom. And the Lord’s way succeeds. It might satisfy our aggressor, and it will surely safeguard us. (Going Soft Against Wrath - Desiring God) How We React - Syndicated columnist Sidney Harris tells of going with a friend to a newspaper stand. The friend bought a newspaper. The vendor was abrupt, gruff, and the friend responded in kindness. Harris was perplexed and said, “Is he always so unkind?” “Yes.” ““Do you always reply like that?” “Yes.” “Why?” “I can’t determine how he will act, but I can determine how I will react.” An Insult is Like Mud - What dangerous fires of hatred are kindled by words spoken in haste! That’s why taking time to think about what we should say is so important. Restraint can bring peace to many an ugly situation, as is illustrated by this story: An old Englishman, known as Father Graham in his village, was greatly loved because of his positive influence. One day an angry young man who had just been badly insulted came to see Father Graham. As he explained the situation, he said he was on his way to demand an apology from the one who had wronged him. “My dear boy,” Father Graham said, “take a word of advice from an old man who loves peace. An insult is like mud; it will brush off better when it is dry. Wait a little, till he and you are both cool, and the problem will be easily solved. If you go now, you will only quarrel.” The young man heeded the wise advice, and soon he was able to go to the other person and resolve the issue. How often the tongue pours fuel on a fire that would go out if left alone! Solomon said, “Do not be rash with your mouth,...let your words be few” (Eccl. 5:2). And hymnwriter William Longstaff put it well when he wrote, “Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul; each thought and each motive beneath His control.” Perhaps you have a problem with someone and have decided to “tell him off.” Why not wait? It’s easier to brush off mud when it’s dry. And pray for the one who offended you. It may dry the mud a little faster. -P. R. Van Gorder James Scudder - Kind Words - Proverbs 15:1 - The great poet, Ralph Waldo Emerson, once struggled for hours with his son trying to wrestle a colt into the barn. Emerson had nearly given up, when a little servant girl walked up to the two tired men. With a sweet smile, she poked a finger into the horse's mouth. Lured by this affectionate gesture, the horse peacefully followed the girl into the barn. Sometimes the greatest of enemies can be won over by an act of kindness. It is no wonder that Proverbs says that a "soft answer" is the best approach as opposed to "grievous words." A gentle approach doesn't mean we should be doormats, allowing anyone and everyone to push us around. Our demeanor also shouldn't resemble that of a bull in a china shop, either. Jesus gave us the formula for control of our temperament with his commandment that we be "wise as serpents" but "harmless as doves." Nasty, cutting words only put distance between you and the other person. You may even win the battle, but you'll ultimately lose the war. If that person is unsaved, you may turn them off to hearing the Gospel. Many conflicts could be avoided, even with difficult people, if only we would choose to utter the nice, gentle word instead of the sarcastic, critical remark. Who do you most identify with? Are you like the poet, trying to wrestle the colt into the barn? Or is your demeanor like the servant girl, who accomplished the task with kindness? — — A kind heart is a fountain of gladness, making everyone in its vicinity freshen into smiles - Washington Irving David Jeremiah - SPEAK SOFTLY - PROVERBS 15:1 - The mouth of the righteous is a well of life” (Proverbs 10:11) and is as valuable as choice silver (Pr 10:20). The words of the righteous are wisdom, they are like food for those hungry to know how to live (Pr 10:21, 31). And most of all, the lips of the righteous are discerning, knowing what is acceptable to say (Pr 10:32). I believe the sensitive, Spirit-led Christian can depend upon the Holy Spirit to give him freedom to speak or freedom not to speak, depending on whether the words are acceptable (appropriate) in the given situation. Perhaps the most underutilized word of healing that Proverbs discusses is the “soft answer [which] turns away wrath.” It takes two people to have a heated, angry argument. If one of them decides to use a soft answer and not participate in the shouting match, the heated argument must by definition come to a halt. If you enter a situation where an angry argument is taking place, you can diffuse the tension and lower the decibel level by your soft words. It is a blessing beyond description to see the spirits of a person rise, the life restored to their eyes, as a result of a healing word from your own lips. To honor God in each part of life, use words that are pleasing and acceptable to a holy God. The tongue can be a blessing And the tongue can be a curse; Say, friend, how are you using yours: For better or for worse? Anon. What we say reveals who we are. O may I find in anger’s grip The strength to temper tongue and lip; But failing that, may God grant me The courage for apology. Kilgore A soft answer has often been the means of breaking a hard heart. Misunderstanding - Two influential preachers, Charles Spurgeon and Joseph Parker, occupied pulpits in London during the 19th century. On one occasion, Parker commented about the poor condition of children admitted to Spurgeon’s orphanage. It was reported to Spurgeon, however, that Parker had criticized the orphanage itself. Being a man of fiery temperament, Spurgeon blasted Parker from his pulpit. That attack, printed in the newspaper, became the talk of the town. Londoners flocked to Parker’s church the next Sunday to hear his rebuttal. “I understand Dr. Spurgeon is not in his pulpit today, and this is the Sunday they use to take an offering for the orphanage,” Parker said. “I suggest we take a love offering here for the orphanage.” The crowd was delighted; ushers had to empty the collection plates three times. Later that week, there was a knock at Parker’s study. It was Spurgeon. “You know, Parker, you have practiced grace on me,” he said. “You have given me not what I deserved; you have given me what I needed.” A War Of Words - A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. —Proverbs 15:1 A careless word may kindle strife, A cruel word may wreck a life; A timely word may lessen stress, A loving word may heal and bless. Anon. Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Help me guard my lips, O Savior; Keep me sweet when sorely tried, Answers soft to others giving, Meekly swallowing my pride. —Bosch To handle a hard situation, try a soft answer. If criticism comes your way, Consider its intent; It may be that some truth from God To you is being sent. -D. DeHaan Criticism is a good teacher if we are willing to learn from A careless word may kindle strife, A cruel word may wreck a life; A timely word may lessen stress, A loving word may heal and bless. --Anon. Kind words are always the right kind So many folks use words that are harsh, When angry, they speak their mind; But Christ would have us reverse this trend With words that are always kind. D. Deut Haan To get out of a hard situation, try a soft answer. Help me guard my lips, O Savior, Keep me sweet when I am tried; Answers soft to others giving, Meekly swallowing my pride. Bosch He who conquers his anger conquers a strong enemy Proverbs 15:2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, but the mouth of fools spouts folly. tongue: Pr 15:23,28 12:23 13:16 16:23 25:11,12 Ps 45:1 Ec 10:12,13 Isa 50:4 Proverbs 15 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THE CONTRAST: — TONGUE OF WISE — MOUTH OF FOOLS NLT Proverbs 15:2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness. Lxx English Proverbs 15:2 The tongue of the wise knows what is good: but the mouth of the foolish tells out evil things. ESV Proverbs 15:2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly. NET Proverbs 15:2 The tongue of the wise treats knowledge correctly, but the mouth of the fool spouts out folly. NET Note - How wise people are can be determined from what they say.