At the Crossroads of the Natural Way or the Bible Way

Proverbs 15:1-2 "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.  The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the moth of fools poureth out foolishness."

Many times in life we do what comes natural to us.  We typically have this attitude of, "If someone yells at me, I'm going to yell back."  It is very natural to yell back when someone is yelling at us.  It is instinctive, and we view it as necessary.  But is it really necessary to only do what comes natural to us?   

In Proverbs 15, the Bible is telling us to do something that goes against our nature.  It goes against mine at least.  "A soft answer turneth away wrath"??? When you consider that statement at first glance, it doesn't make sense.  What makes more sense to me is whoever yells the loudest and longest wins.  Look at what he says in the second part, "but grievous words stir up anger."  Grievous words??? What is that? Grievous words are those words we choose to say to hurt someone on purpose, usually in an argument.  Rather than choosing to use a soft answer, we choose to get back at them. As we get back at them, intending to hurt them, it only stirs up more sorrow for us. 

I have always considered this verse of scripture in the backwards.  I have always thought of the soft answer being for the other person.  And in a way it kind of is, but it is really for the person giving the soft answer.  If you want the wrath and anger to continue, yell & fight back.  If you want the wrath and anger to stop - consider using a soft answer next time.  Verse 2 actually gives us more insight into this line of thinking.  "The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness."  When we use the knowledge of a soft answer, it will work.  To not use a soft answer is foolish. 

Are we so foolish to think that we know more than God?  I have talked with folks before about these very verses, and the response is usually the same, "that won't work"  or "I've tried that, it doesn't work".  Listen, the Bible doesn't say, "A soft answer turneth away wrath, and it you try it for five minutes and it doesn't seem to be working feel free to let them have it with both barrels." I'm telling you right now, if we only try it for a little while it will not work.  You are going to have to not just try it, but let it become who you are and what you do - because you are no fool I know.

It's simple, "a soft answer turneth away wrath."  You're at a crossroads - which way will you choose?  The natural way? or the Bible way?  Don't be foolish, choose the Bible way.