Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

October 20
Monday


A WAR OF WORDS

READ:
Proverbs 15:1-23
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A soft answer turns
away wrath, but a
harsh word stirs up
anger. __Proverbs 15:1
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On July 28, 1914, Austria_Hungary declared war on Serbia in response to the assassination of Archduke francis Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie. Within 90 days, other european countries had taken sides to honor their military alliances and pursue their own ambitions. A single event escalated into World War 1, one of the most destructive military conflicts of modern time.

The tragedy of war is staggering, yet our relationships and families can begin to fracture with only a few hateful words. James wrote, "See how great a forest a little fire kindles!" (James 3:5). A key to avoiding verbal conflict is found in Proverbs: "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger" (15:1).

A small comment can start a large fight. When we, by God's grace, choose not to retaliate with our words, we honor Jesus our Savior. When He was abused and insulted, He fulfilled the prophetic words of Isaiah, "He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth" (Isa. 53:7).

Proverbs urges us to speak the truth and seek peace through our words. "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life,...and a word spoken in due season, how good it is!" (15:4,23).
__David McCasland

``````````````````````A careless word may kindle strife,`````````````````````
```````````````````````A cruel word may wreck a life;``````````````````````
``````````````````````A timely word may lessen stress,`````````````````````
``````````````````A loving word may heal and bless. __Anon.````````````````
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Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.

*********************************Today's Bible Reading __ Proverbs 15:1-23*********************************
1 A soft answer turns away
wrath, but a harsh word stirs
up anger.

2 The tongue of the wise
uses knowledge rightly, but
the mouth of fools pours
forth foolishness.

3 The eyes of the LORD are
in every place, keeping watch
on the evil and the good.

4 A wholesome tongue is a
tree of life, but perverseness
in it breaks the spirit.

5 A fool despises his father's
instruction, but he who
receives correction is
prudent.

6 In the house of the
righteous there is much
treasure, but in the revenue of
the wicked is trouble.

7 The lips of the wise
disperse knowledge, but the
heart of the fool does not do
so....

14 The heart of him who has
understanding seeks
knowledge, but he mouth of
fools feeds on foolishness.

15 All the days of the
afflicted are evil, but he who
is of a merry heart has a
continual feast.

16 Better is a little with the
fear of the LORD, than great
treasure with trouble.

17 Better is a dinner of herbs
where love is, than a fatted
calf with hatred.

18 A wrathful man stirs up
strife, but he who is slow to
anger allays contention....

23 A man has joy by the
answer of his mouth, and a
word spoken in the due season,
how good it is!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

A major theme in Proverbs concerns the use of our tongues
(10:19-21; 12:18, 13:3; 17:27-28; 18:6-8; 25:11; 26:18-22).
Proverbs 15 warns of the consequences of using wrong words
and the benefits of using right words. A wise person is carefully
restrained and judicious when speaking (vv.2, 7, 28.