Proverbs 15:1 - Your Gracious Answer

Proverbs 15:1

A gentle answer turns away wrath

But a harsh word stirs up anger. 

Message: Your Gracious Answer

Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God.

What the Lord is Saying: We often have an inner voice in our discussions with people that defends ourselves, making sure we are right and that the other person must be wrong. Sometimes we too quickly do not listen to the words spoken. We are tempted to be "harsh" and in the process we "stir up anger." 

And so in these instances, when I am being confronted or corrected or given an assessment on who I am, I must think about how I respond in that situation. The way I am supposed to answer is with gentleness. The person is often not looking for a fight in saying those words. Can I take a moment to consider their words? 

Prior to my wife and I getting married, the person that was our matchmaker was with her husband in another city, 17 hours from where we were getting married, and so taking a flight there was probably the one way to get to our wedding. But they quickly said "no" and so after reading a book and this issue continuing to not go away, I got on the phone and in the best way I knew confronted the issue. I was not met with any sort of kindness, but instead must defense. And for whatever reason, it simply seems that our relationship never recovered. These people were so important in us being together. We were in their wedding but now they would not be present for ours. That was hard. It was their choice, but it still stung. I wish in that situation they would have been kind. 

It reminds me that in our life we don't have too many instances of being confronted. Most people are fairly nice in their approach. We are often trained in not having conflict. In retail establishments there is the notion often, "the customer is always right" which means if there is ever a grievance raised of a transaction, the customer gets their way. This verse is not saying this. We don't simply take words confronting us in order to keep the relationship strong. 

I find in my marriage that this is the relationship that we tend to communicate these sort of problems the most. And it seems that I am often the one sharing a hurt. But I often do it in a way where I paint a picture of assuming what the other person is thinking. Sometimes, but not all of the times. "A gentle answer" is what I am hoping for. An understanding answer. Simply hearing me, but often I get defense. And often I am on the defense. 

Prayer: Lord, help me to not get defensive when I am being confronted. Help me to hear what is said. Help me to listen. I want to listen. And help me when I have the opportunity, especially with my wife to think before I speak and say things in a gracious manner. Lord, when things are hurtful I want to share my opinion and how I am feeling. Help that conversation to occur but in a way that does not stir up anger. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Romans 12:21 - Overcoming Evil with Good

Romans 12:21 - Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Message: The commands of God do not change because evil has been done to us. We are continue to treat others with respect and do good, not evil.

Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome

What the Lord is Saying:

I think the big point of this text is nothing changes when a person does evil to us. We continue to desire to do good. 

In Tabletalk, it remarks that there are three primary reasons here in this statement of overcoming evil with God. 

1. We keep ourselves from being corrupted by the world and its ways of doing things. It is correct that often our role as a Christian is to do the opposite. The world trains us in one way of living and often we are commanded to live a different way. The world's approach to all things is often laden with sin. Yes, we are not to love the world or the things of the world. One thing I notice in the world is how easy commandment breaking occurs. Lying is rampant in our world, as is blasphemy. Do people even realize that every time they say OMG they are taking the Lord's name in vain? And "O God" is a normal exclamation in people's lives. It seems to have reached a point that people have no idea they are even doing this when they speak. 
2. When we do good in response to evil we help people run from evil. People often experience shame and regret when instead of fighting back with fire, we give them Love. God can use us to bring about a person's repentance. 
3. When we do good we share the character of Christ to the world. When we act this way we imitate Christ and allow others to see Christ in us. 

Do the opposite
Proverbs 16:32 - He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.  

Luke 6:27-30 -  27 “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 “Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. 30 “Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back.

 

I Peter 3:9 - not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. 

 

What is amazing about each of these verses is how opposite this is to the way of the world. I don't have to act the way of the world. How often have I just let evil win the day in my life. How often do I allow anger to rule the day. How often have I exasperated my children. The crazy thing is that it is so easy to act and live in this manner. It almost is somewhat natural. 

Proverbs 15:1 - A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. This is the mark of a Christian. When wrath comes to the forefront, gentleness is the response. God, what a huge and total failure I am in regards to this. 

This is a command

I should not approach this verse like it is an option or a suggestion or a like-to-do, but rather it is a command, "Do not be overcome." And this is something I can't do. I need the Spirit to work in my life continually and show me how quick I am to engage in evil. 

One thing I notice about myself that I really don't like, but I continue to do is how quickly I bring another person down. It amazes me, how in a conversation, how quickly I can belittle another person. I so quickly make myself out to better than another person. I often do this with those that are over me. I often do this toward my boss. I pick on the things that I think other people are also thinking. They are thinking them because I am often bringing them to mind or they are probably thinking them because they don't have the love of Christ in them, enabling them or encouraging them to think differently. I shame others too quickly. I belittle others too quickly. I hate that. I hate the competition that so quickly swells up in me, to where I belittle others. It doesn't need to be said. But, I say it anyway. Why? Because I thirst for people's favor. I thirst for people to agree with me. I thirst for their approval. Like sin, it feels good for a moment, but then God's conviction meets me and I feel ugly. Naturally, I don't want people to do this to me and yet, I know it probably occurs. 

Making evil out to be good

The amazing thing in all of this is that I redefine evil as good. Isn't this what I find so reprehensible in the world today? People repeat and repeat and repeat evil acts, to the point that the evil is acceptable behavior and no longer something distasteful. I think when people stare at evil, they know it is wrong. The problem becomes when a desire for acceptance or validation or approval begins to outweigh what is defined as evil. Natural man despises the things of God. Without the Spirit in man's life, man will not run to good, but instead will seek approval and validation and acceptance of natural man. And in so doing, our natural ways no longer are sin. We justify the behavior to the point that we redefine what is evil as good. 

What has happened with abortion? It seems that what has happened is we have placed on a high level a woman's right to choose her own timing for bringing a life into the world. The woman wants to play God. Instead of surrendering, she thinks that choices are random and so she wants to be at the control switches for deciding when life begins. When this separation occurs, it is no longer a life, but a choice. 

This is the scare thing about evil. Evil becomes good. 

Ray Stedman states, "I was reading one day a story about a boy who was in the army. He was a Christian and had formed the habit of praying beside his bed before he went to sleep. He kept up this practice in the army, but he became an object of mockery and ridicule to the entire barracks. One night he knelt to pray after a long, weary march. As he was praying, one of his tormentors took off his muddy boots and threw them at the boy, one at a time, hitting him on each side of his head. The Christian said nothing about it, and just took the boots and put them beside the bed and continued to pray. But the next morning, when the other man woke up, he found his boots sitting beside his bed, all shined and polished. It so broke his heart that he came to that boy and asked him for forgiveness. That led, after a time, to that man becoming a Christian. This is what Paul means when he says you overcome evil with good. As Abraham Lincoln once said, "The best way to overcome an enemy is to make him your friend.""

 

This chapter continues to mention this thought over and over. 

Romans 12:14 - Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

Romans 12:17 - Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men.

Romans 12:21 - Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. 

 

Wow, how clear it should be to me that evil is not a reaction I am to have in my life. 

 

My Prayer

Lord, help me to be more careful with the words that I say. And help me to change my thought life. Re-train me. There are so many relationships that I have Lord in which I have now trained myself to talk about that person in an evil way or make remarks about them. I too quickly now want to puff myself up by taking them down. Lord, I need changed. I need your reproof. Make it a part of my life to repay evil with good. Help me Lord. I need Your Power. I have trained myself in the wrong way. I blaspheme your name continually by acting in a way that does not honor you. Lord, in the name of humor and a good laugh I allow this type of evil to occur and re-occur in my life. 

Promise: God gives us a supernatural love in loving our enemies.

Jesus Calling: March 3

    I love you for who you are, not for what you do. Many voices vie for control of your mind, especially when you sit in silence. You must learn to discern what is My voice and what is not. Ask My Spirit to give you this discernment. Many of My children run around in circles, trying to obey the various voices directing their lives. This results in fragmented, frustrating patterns of living. Do not fall into this trap. Walk closely with Me each moment, listening for My directives and enjoying My Companionship. Refuse to let other voices tie you up in knots. My sheep know My voice and follow Me wherever I lead. 

Ephesians 4:1-6
English Standard Version
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

John 10:4
English Standard Version
When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

This does remind me of what I've been reading in Zechariah, Ezekiel, and Jeremiah. These books often speak of Israel's faithfulness and God does not welcome their actions of disobedience, but His gracious acts are because of who He is. It's not that He looks past the sin, but His goodness is greater than we could ever know. It's a great reminder of His love for us.

I need to pray and lean on the Spirit for His guidance. Walk closely with the Lord each day. The Lord is before us and we follow Him. Not because of what we see, but because of what we hear. We know His voice.

Walk. Walk in a way that mirrors what God has done for me. Be humble because He is humble. Be gentle towards others because He has been gentle towards Me. Have patience with myself and other people. Why? Because He has been patient with me. Come alongside one another in Love. Why? Because God's Spirit is in us and wants us to be united. There is oneness in Christ, in God, in faith -- so there must be oneness in each other. The oneness isn't a command because of anything but our position in Christ.

My Prayer
Lord, give me the strength each day to stand firm in Christ. I pray that I would practice humility, gentleness, patience, and a love community.

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Jesus Calling: January 8

Softly I announce My Presence. Shimmering hues of radiance tap gently at your consciousness, seeking entrance. Though I have all Power in heaven and on earth, I am infinitely tender with you. The weaker you are, the more gently I approach you. Let your weakness be a door to My presence. Whenever you feel inadequate, remember that I am your ever-present Help.
     Hope in Me, and you will be protected from depression and self-pity. Hope is like a golden cord connecting you to heaven. The more you cling to this cord, the more I bear the weight of your burdens; thus, you are lightened. Heaviness is not of My kingdom. Cling to hope, and My rays of Light will reach you through the darkness.

Psalm 46:1
English Standard Version
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.

Romans 12:12
English Standard Version
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Romans 15:13
English Standard Version
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

My Prayer
Lord, you are in my life. You are with me. Every day I need you. Every moment. Lord, You are over all this earth. You created it. You ordained righteousness, my highest goal. And you are personal. Again,  you are with me. Thank you for living alongside me. Thank you for living in me.

Lord, yesterday was a day of trial and being unsettled about that car purchase. Lord, I prayed for your peace and never got it. There were signs everywhere that I shouldn't get it, and yet I pressed on, not wanting to upset the buyer. Thank  you for my wife and her common sense. O how I needed her. I had prayed that she would be there and would speak. She has good sense. And she spoke when I couldn't. I saw once again Lord how you made her to complement me. You made her for me. She is my Eve. Thank you Lord. Thank you for Your presence through my wife. I sat there in the mechanics window and thought of You and Your presence, realizing I was weak and needed Your guidance. Thank You for showing me Your presence in my weakness.

Father, I pray for Hope. Hope tells me that my tomorrow with You will always be better. My hope of heaven and being in Your presence, intimately connected with You relieves me of the discomfort of this present life. Remind me of this hope. And center me on this future glory. Bruce and I talked yesterday about how we cling to our problems. When we are struck with an illness or medical problem, it begins to take over our life. And all we want is to be free from it. And yet Lord, it should move us to a greater desire for You and a greater hope to be in You. And a greater reminder that in saving me, my future hope is secure. Nothing can hurt me. So, as future hurts come my way and as I age, and health issues become larger, may my Hope remain in You and not simply focused on being freed from current burdens. As a people of God, help us to be focused on this.

Lord, you are my refuge. You are my strength. You are my help in trouble. Teach me patience in tribulation versus a quick exit to the tribulation. Through it may I rejoice in hope and be in constant prayer. Lord, give me peace and joy in believing, so that my hope abounds.

Lord, I pray for the spiritual leaders of our church, all of them. Guide them in their teaching and passing on of the Word. I pray for effective teaching that Your word would be received well. I pray they would each be bold, would look to be bold both in the church and outside of it. Raise each of them up to be laborers for You. Give them humility and help them to be respectful and gentle. Help them to listen and confide in others, to know when there message needs to be altered.

Lord, I pray for my pastors. You have gifted each of these individuals in different areas of the church. In each of their disciplines, may the message of Your Hope and Your Gospel and Presence be clear. Help them to be bold in their witness. Increase their dependence on You. As they have moments of teaching others, may their teaching be accurate and authentic. Help them to be clear and accurate, bold and humble, gentle and respectful. Guide the worship ministries, the youth ministries, missions and evangelism, military, small group, discipleship. Raise up people that want to be more than just buckets, but be hoses that want to carry Your message.

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author.