Proverbs 15:1

When I was in the fourth grade, my Sunday School teacher told our class one Sunday, “Open up your Bibles and read the first scripture you see.” Then, she called on each child in class to read aloud the scriptures we found. The first scripture I saw when I opened my Bible was Proverbs 15:1, which read (KJV), “A soft answer turneth away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger.”

I have pondered this verse many times throughout my life, and there are fewer statements that are more profound than this one. It is so true. It has become one of my favorite verses in the Bible.

When we encounter people who have opinions that differ from ours, or who are in an angry moment, how we respond to their behaviors can determine a series of ensuing activities. If we respond in an angry, insulting, or defensive way, it could stir up more anger, and make a situation much worse.