“Respond gently when you are confronted and you’ll defuse the rage of another. Responding with sharp, cutting words will only make it worse. Don’t you know that being angry can ruin the testimony of even the wisest of men? When wisdom speaks, understanding becomes attractive. But the words of the fool make their ignorance look laughable. The eyes of the Lord are everywhere and he takes note of everything that happens. He watches over his lovers, and he also sees the wickedness of the wicked. When you speak healing words, you offer others fruit from the tree of life. But unhealthy, negative words do nothing but crush their hopes. When wisdom speaks, revelation-knowledge is released, but finding true wisdom in the word of a fool is futile.” Proverbs 15:1-4,7 TPT
Once again, we are reminded to choose our words wisely. As a child I was taught that the gentle use of our words was much better than speaking harshly, in that for the most part, harsh words can and often do create hurt or can even lead to anger.
In this passage we find that the importance of being aware of the words we speak and the way they are spoken matters. When unhealthy, negative words are spoken, they tend to tear us apart and crush our hopes. Our Father knows and sees all we do, hears everything we say, knows our inner feelings, and yet His desire is for us to continue to grow within the asking.
Heavenly Father, help us to remember the importance of choosing our words wisely, speaking softly, and knowing that in your love for us, we can find our peace and be ever so thankful.
In Christ Love
Margaret