The Wisdom of a Soft Answer
Scripture Reading: Proverbs 15:1
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
The truth of this proverb is self-evident. I don’t need to convince you that it is true. That is not to say it is a 100% fool-proof action plan. There are times when another person’s rage is so out-of-control that nothing will calm it. Nevertheless, the principle still stands. We can calm things down with softer language. Wrath can be turned away if we aren’t wrathful ourselves.
This proverb isn’t suggesting compromising the truth or letting people get away with wrongs. It is about a better way to confront people or engage in contentious dialogue. When a person feels personally attacked they become defensive and aggressive. But when they sense they are dealing with a calm, rational, and reasonable person they will likely respond in kind.
This is about being a “thermostat” rather than a “thermometer.” The thermostat person sets the temperature in the room. The thermometer person rises and falls according to the existing temperature in the room. Better to be the one setting the temperature and one way to do that is by using language that cools things off rather than heats them up.