14 November
A Soft Word
But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass as it is this day, to save much people alive. Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.
Genesis 50:20 to 21How many times have people wronged you and you retaliated with harsh words? Today we tend to find ourselves getting frustrated easily, stressed easily, angry easily. If you were thrown into a pit, and then sold into the hands of your enemies by your own brothers, what would you do?
King Solomon wrote, "A soft answer turneth away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger." There are times when we need to be strict and play the disciplinarian, but there are times when we need to stop and think, "Am I going to reflect the character of Christ through my actions?"
Jesus knew who He had to be strict with. And Jesus knew who to say kind words to. The prostitute at the well and the lady that was violently thrown to the ground to be stoned received kind words from Jesus. Instead of condemning their actions Jesus had mercy on them and gave them the gift of salvation.
Have you been dealt with harshly? Has somebody treated you unfairly? It is easy to react in the exact same manner — fight fire with fire, they say. But what did Jesus say? "Resist not evil; but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. Love your enemies; do good to them that hate you. For if ye love them which love ye, what reward have ye?"
You have been created a "peculiar people, a royal priesthood" and "a holy nation." A soft word can bring enemies to their knees. A harsh word will make you an enemy to people. A soft word can restore ones soul and bring one to repentance. A harsh word can take a brother further from God. A soft word can bring healing. A harsh word destroys and breaks down.