Softly

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

SOFTLY

Prov 29:8

8 Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger.

NIV

These mockers are people who offer contemptuous ridicule in the city. They sneer at things, they speak jeers or taunts. The Hebrew word implies they fan the flames, stirring up trouble. Certainly Paul must have thought those Jews who follow after him and went telling the new converts among the gentiles they had to first become a Jew in order to become a Christian were mockers. Their false form of religion was stirring up trouble among the community. Whenever we encounter those individuals who fan the flames of division or divisiveness within a church could be considered a mocker. But this most likely refers to those who speak out boldly against believing in God. These might be people who call themselves atheists and stir up trouble in the community against Christianity having any appearance in the public square. Everything has to be a big deal to the mockers. Everything has to be challenged or ridiculed. But a wise person knows how to turn away this kind of anger. The scripture tells us how, which we have already seen.

Prov 15:1

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

NIV

If we speak with gentle tones in our voice we can turn away this ridicule, these sneers or taunts, this mockery offered by angry people. That may well be the clue to this whole issue. People who have not experienced the peace of Christ in their hearts carry this anger within them. A heart without the reign of Christ within cannot truly have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Their anger rules their heart and as it has been said, misery loves company. But we do not have to be subject to their anger, their sneers, or jeers, their ridicule or mockery. We cannot allow them to stir up our emotions and fight back in somewhat of a vengeful, argumentative manner. We need to remain in the love of Christ, speaking softly words of peace and joy, words of kindness and gentleness. Being full of the Spirit will bring resolution not to just our own heart, but with those who carry that anger within. If they will not turn away from their anger and accept Jesus, they will at least turn away from us realizing we will not turn to their kind of anger. They will know we are no longer a good target for their mockery. It has also been said that we should walk softy but carry a big stick. So it is, we can talk softly but we do carry a very big stick, the wisdom of God.