Proverbs 15:1
A soft answer turns away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
When I read this scripture I get a mental picture in my mind of a well trained surgeon. This surgeon knows how to use his knife in an extremely precise manner. He knows what to cut and what not to cut. He knows what to take out and what to leave. He performs the surgery in a most gentle manner. As Christians we too possess and very powerful surgical knife called the Word of God. It is an instrument that can be used in a way that pierces into the heart of man and is able to change even the soul of man without putting one single blemish upon his body or soul.
When we speak, we too must be extremely careful with the manner in which we wield this highly sharp and precise instrument. It is important that we carefully examine our attitudes, because attitudes determine the outcome of our actions, even when using something as holy and pure as the Word of God. If our attitudes are wrong, what was intended to be an instrument of life; can be turned into an instrument of death. When we speak, whether we represent ourselves, someone else, or even God, we want our words to stir up good things in the lives of folks, not evil. We want to be a source of blessing to those around us, not bitterness. In the same way we must be careful not only with what we do, but rather with what attitude or motive we do it with. If we love, let us love without hypocrisy. If we give, let it not be done begrudgingly or of constraint. Our prayer should be that our lives be used as instruments of a love and grace that prevents wrath, not one that causes it.
Another analogy that I like to use is that of the presentation of food. God’s Word is the food and we are the presentation. We are the table, the forks, the knives, the spoons, the plates and the preparers of the food. The way we prepare and present the food to those at the table has everything to do with the type of eating experience our guest will have. If the preparation and presentation are done well, then the experience will be a good one. If our work is not done well, then the experience will not be one that the guest will soon want to repeat.
Pastor LaVaughn
