Finding Peace and Reflecting Christ Through Gentle Words
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
-Proverbs 15:1 (KJV)
A gentle response can defuse conflict, while harsh words can escalate it. In today’s world, there’s enough controversy that it doesn’t take much to spark someone’s anger. From politics, religion, and sports to racism, fake news, or just about any topic you can imagine, tempers flare easily. You can hardly drive down the road these days without witnessing some form of road rage—especially at a four-way stop. It seems like every time you turn around, someone is jumping out of their vehicle, ready to fight.
Often, the anger others display stems from something they’re going through. It could be a struggling marriage, financial troubles, health issues, or the recent loss of someone close to them. While this doesn’t excuse mistreating others or speaking disrespectfully, it’s where we can make a difference with how we respond. As God’s Word tells us, a soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up more anger. When we choose to speak gently to defuse a situation, it’s often exactly what an angry person needs to hear—evidence that someone cares. If we’re mindful of what comes out of our mouths and refuse to repay insults with insults, it can be a powerful witness to Christ, opening others’ eyes to His love.
Reflective Questions:
- When was the last time I responded to anger with gentleness instead of frustration? How did it affect the situation?
- What challenges in my own life might tempt me to lash out, and how can I invite God to help me respond with a soft answer instead?
- How might my words today reflect Christ’s love to someone who is hurting or angry?
- What steps can I take to pause and choose my words carefully, even when I feel provoked?
Prayer:
In the name of Jesus, I come to You, Father, and I ask to be a voice of peace that reflects Your Son. I surrender my heart, soul, and mind to You. Cleanse them and let me be a reflection of Your Son with my thoughts, words, and actions. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thank you for reading. God bless you!
All Scripture in Steps Towards Eternity Daily Devotional is from the King James Bible. (KJV)
Scriptures marked KJV are taken from the KING JAMES VERSION (KJV): KING JAMES VERSION, public domain in The United States. Pathway365 is based in the United States and is governed by its laws. Outside of the United States, you’ll need to check the copyright laws in your country before use.
Scripture quotations from The Authorized (King James) Version. Rights in the Authorized Version in the United Kingdom are vested in the Crown. Reproduced by permission of the Crown’s patentee, Cambridge University Press