“A Soft Answer”
“God has
given the leaders of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb into your hands; and what was I able
to do in comparison with you?” Then their anger
toward him subsided when he said that.” (v.3)
The Bible says we are supposed to be “slow to speak” (James
1:19), and that “a soft answer turns away wrath” (Proverbs 15:1).
Gideon gave a soft answer during a verbal scuffle with some
fellow Israelites. Just after his army defeated the Midianites, a group of his
countrymen criticized him sharply (v.1). They were bugged because they missed
out on the main part of the battle. Gideon did not fling back a rough response.
Instead, he reminded them that they had captured and killed the Midianite
princes. He also honored the men by asking, “What was I able to do in
comparison with you?” Finally, “their anger toward him subsided when he said
that” (v.3)
With
the Lord’s help, we can defuse heated situations by reining in our words.
Responding gently and carefully to angry people can promote unity, for God’s
glory.
Bite
your tongue before it bites others.
The
Truth
A soft
answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the
wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.
(Proverbs 15:1-2)
