‘A gentle answer turns away
wrath.’ Proverbs 15:1
If you’re an organised,
time-conscious, purpose-driven, make-it-happen kind of person you can get upset
with incompetence and low productivity in others. And you can end up speaking
words that hurt them and don’t bring the result you hope for. In Proverbs
chapter thirty-one here’s how Solomon describes a wise woman: ‘On her tongue is
the law of kindness’ (v. 26 NKJV). Speaking kindly to and about others was one
of this woman’s core principles. And when you think about it, there’s never any
justification for being harsh or unkind in your communication. Certainly not if
you’re a Christian! Hasn’t God been gracious with you? Then extend that same grace to others. The old adage, ‘Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,’ isn’t true. Harsh words can impact a person for a lifetime. Many so-called ‘social outcasts’ have been victims of verbal abuse at some point in their lives. They have suffered at the hands of parents, teachers, insecure spouses, and others battling their own emotional issues. If you find you’re prone to speaking harshly to people, pray for God’s help. Whatever it takes, including seeking help from a pastor or counsellor, do it. The Bible says, ‘He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city’ (Proverbs 16:32 NKJV). Decide today to ‘rule your spirit’ and make kindness a hallmark and guiding principle of your life.
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