There are many parts of the body that can be powerful. And the tongue is no exception. It is very powerful. It can either be a healing medicine or it can be a deadly weapon. It can either minister to hearts or break them into little pieces.
This passage makes us aware of both consequences.
VS. 1: "A SOFT ANSWER TURNETH AWAY WRATH."
When you offend someone you should go to them and attempt to set things right.
By the same token: The Word of God commands that when someone offends you, you are to forgive them. Matthew 6:14-15 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
How often?Matthew 18:22 say's, 70 X 7
When this has been done, forgiveness becomes an automatic response to personal offenses.
This is the effect of harsh words:
* STIR UP QUARRELS AND DISCORD
* CAN TEAR UP CHURCHES
* CAN RUIN OUR WITNESS FOR CHRIST
BUT: SOFT ANSWERS:
* TURN AWAY WRATH
* MINISTER TO PEOPLE
* SAVE HURT FEELINGS
This especially applies to churches.
The Holy Spirit cannot move fruitfully among discord. He will not bless.
Some people want to be blessed, but they don't want to change.
Nothing stirs up anger and discord more than harsh and/or tactless words
Hate is the most expensive fault in the world.
But: THE CHRISTIAN IS COMMANDED TO LOVE
IT IS THE GREATEST THING OF ALL---1 CORINTHIANS 13 VS 2:
"THE TONGUE OF THE WISE USETH KNOWLEDGE ARIGHT, BUT THE MOUTHS OF FOOLS POUR OUT FOOLISHNESS."
Your tongue and your words will identify you every time! God is watching His children constantly.
AND: He knows: Their every thought, Their every motive, Their every action, Their very hearts
There is no such thing as "secret sins" Matthew 10:26 SAY'S THERE IS NOTHING HIDDEN OR COVERED THAT WILL NOT BE REVEALED. He is displeased with the evil and is pleased with the good.
Is everything that you do pleasing in His Sight?
Gentle words cause life and health
Harsh words cause discouragement and discord.
This is Satan's #1 weapon-DISCOURAGEMENT
THUS: Do your words and actions identify you as God's child
or do they identify you as an agent for Satan to destroy?
But what if a person is erring? Shouldn't they be told of their
mistake so that it will not continue?
If it comes to that, remember that a good tongue is healing to sin-sick souls by convincing them of the wrong. This is a tool that The Holy Spirit uses as opposed to hateful and harsh words. Gentle words also reconcile people who are at varience.
An evil tongue is wounding.
It does not reconcile, which is God's Will, it only makes the situation worse.
The cheapest, stupidest thing for a person to do is fault finding in others.
Now: Getting back to not wanting to change: Vs. 5 says that only a fool despises his father's instruction, but he that regardeth reproof (correction) is prudent (wise)
Don't be afraid of receiving reproof that leads to revision, or improvement in your life and in the church.
TWO FINAL SCRIPTURES TO ILLUSTRATE THIS TRUTH:
Proverbs 15:10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.
AND: Proverbs 12:1 tells us that whoever loves instruction loves knowledge but he that hates reproof is brutish.
Isn't it better when we as His children can forgive our debtors as God forgives us our debts? Or when we right a wrong that we have done to someone?
