Two of my recent readings From Beside the Still Waters...
A Soft Answer - Read Matthew 5:43-46, 1 Peter 3:8-17
"A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger." - Proverbs 15:1
"Oh, no, you're not going to do that! There's no way you're putting that water in my yard!" Jim had hired a contractor to install gutters on his home. But now neighbour Harold was angry because one downspout was pointed towards his yard. Jim calmly tried to explain why it was best to point the downspout in that direction, but it was in vain. Harold just became angrier. So Jim did what every true Christian should do. He had the workmen point the downspout in a direction that better suited Harold.
What is our response when we are confronted by angry people? Our human tendency is to lash out and speak angry words in return. However, Jesus explained that we should respond lovingly and gently to them. "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you" (Matthew 5:44). According to 1 Peter 3:9, we will receive a blessing if we return words of blessing to those who speak evil or railing words to us.
It is easy to become angry and defensive, but such an attitude will never win. In the incident above, Harold got his way but Jim was the real winner. Can we imagine what would have happened if Jim had reacted with anger and hatred? Instead he restored peace with his kind, loving response to Harold. Let us also strive to respond graciously and lovingly whenever someone is angry with us. Not only can we soothe their anger with a soft answer, but we will also be an inspiration to others who are watching.
- Joseph Wengerd - Hersey, MI
"A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife." - Proverbs 15:18
The Fiery Tongue - Read - James 3:1-12
"Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!" - James 3:5
On October 8, 1871, a small fire got out of control in a barn on the southwest side of the city of Chicago. According to legion, a cow kicked over a lighted lantern, which started a fire that spread rapidly from one wooden structure to the next. Strong winds spread the flames east and north, even causing them to jump a river. Multitudes fled in panic. The Great Chicago Fire destroyed 18,000 buildings, killed 300 people, and left 90,000 homeless. Though the fire may have at first been contained to give light, one small accident led to great destruction.
We all know how quickly our tongue can give expression to thoughts and emotions. Sometimes we make a comment with little consideration of how it will affect those who hear it, where it will spread, or what destruction it may cause. James 3:6 says the tongue is set on fire of hell, and when it speaks from that source, it is always destructive.
The tongue stirs up rebellion against authority and expresses pride in its boastings. It strives about words - what was said, how it was said, and what was meant but not said. It spreads envy, evil surmising, perverse disputing, and corrupted influences. It ignites anger, malice, hatred, and revenge. A gossiping tongue kindles great matters of untruth and causes deep hurts and broken relationships. No man of himself can fully tame or control his own tongue.
The Scriptures have much to say about the right use of the tongue. Like all the members of our body, the tongue needs to be yielded in righteousness to God (Romans 6:13) and not to the destructive unrighteousness of the fire of hell. "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life" (Proverbs 15:4).
May our tongue ignite fires of love, peace, and goodwill rather than hatred, strife, and envy.
"But the wisdom that is from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace." - James 3:17-18
👍 🙏💕
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