A Soft Answer
Prov. 15:1, Sam. 1 25:1-37
The careless old hen accidentally stepped on a ducks foot; it didn’t hurt the duck, but the duck got peeved and said “I’ll pay you for that.” His wings struck an old goose that was standing by. The old goose became angry thinking it was done on purpose, said to the duck, “I’ll pay you for that.” The cat, ram, dog, cow, and horse were soon involved.
Contention can most often be avoided by proper use of the tongue. Only when great principles and convictions are at stake should we contend. Paul urged us to contend for the faith.
I: Contentious words:
1. The wasp may buzz around your head but the danger is increased when you try to swat him.
2. Often an ill spoken word is like hitting a hornets nest.
3. An unjust decree or ruling stirs up strife (Pharoah).
4. Threats are kindling for trouble (Eszul-Paul).
5. An uncivial answer to a civial question. Nabals — “Who is David?”
6. Words that should never be uttered, “I won’t let him get away with that,” “She thinks she is somebody, don’t be mad if I tell you this but… I think you should know what she said about you.”
II: Danger of a contentious tongue:
1. It may lead to anger, (Anger is potential murder).
2. Name calling (Jesus killer)!
3. Contention can bring corporation to a halt, (we’ve got an elephant).
4. Contentious words divided the Kingdom of Israel at the death of Solomon.
a. Contentious words will divide a friendship or a church.
b. Some people enjoy contention (Milwaukee and Railroad).
The tongue is like an arrow, sharp and life a razor, keen. It utters many kindly words and many that are mean. It has the healing power of oil, the burning power of fire. It is possessed by friend and saint, by enemy and liar. It wounds and heals, lies and prays, and blesses, curses, sings. It has the healing power of salve with bitterness it stings.
It prays long prayers to God above, it curses man below. It heals the wounded bleeding heart, it strikes the stinging blow. No man can tame the wicked tongue, no man his soul can save. Only God can cleanse the heart and make the tongue behave.
Author Unknown
III: “A soft answer.”
1. By nature men want to chew on the bone of contention.
2. Nature must be changed and only God can bring this about.
3. “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples if ye have love one to another.”
John 13:35
4. Contention is contrary to all that Christ stands for. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.” Matt. 5:9.
a. “Be at peace among yourselves.” Thess. 1 5:13
b. “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” Prov. 16:32.
5. A soft answer often stops the argument.
6. A soft answer requires time to think (Count more than 10).
“A woman’s formula for making friends; “I’se allus mighty careful to stop and taste mah words for I let ’em pass mah teeth.” (Out of the heart).