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“A gentle answer quiets anger, but harsh words stir it up.
The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool gushes out foolishness.”
(Proverbs 15:1–2, paraphrased from the lyrics; cf. ESV/NKJV)
Let us look at what the Word of God says:
> “A soft answer turns away wrath,
> but a harsh word stirs up anger.
> The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,
> but the mouths of fools pour out folly.”
> (Proverbs 15:1–2, ESV)
These two verses form a powerful spiritual law concerning the tongue. They reveal that:
1. Our words can either turn away wrath or stir up anger.
2. Our tongue can either commend (make attractive, fitting) God’s knowledge or pour out foolishness.
Scripture shows again and again that the tongue is not neutral. It is an instrument of life or death, blessing or curse, wisdom or folly. This is not only a matter of temperament or personality; it is a spiritual issue at the deepest level of our hearts.
The lyrics simply echo God’s own description of this spiritual reality:
“A gentle answer quiets anger… the tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing…”
In these verses we see at least three great themes:
If we understand and apply this, it can transform marriages, homes, churches, workplaces, and even nations. But it must begin in our own hearts and on our own lips.
Proverbs belongs to the wisdom literature of the Old Testament. Much of it is attributed to King Solomon, to whom God gave exceptional wisdom (1 Kings 3:9–12). The book is not merely a collection of moral sayings; it is covenant wisdom—instruction from God to His covenant people on how to live rightly in His world.
Proverbs 1:1–4 states the book’s purpose:
> “The proverbs of Solomon…
> To know wisdom and instruction,
> to understand words of insight,
> to receive instruction in wise dealing,
> in righteousness, justice, and equity;
> to give prudence to the simple,
> knowledge and discretion to the youth.”
In other words, Proverbs is God’s training manual for practical righteousness.
Proverbs 10–22 forms a large section of short, two-line sayings, often contrasting the righteous with the wicked, the wise with the fool, diligence with laziness. Proverbs 15 sits in the midst of this section, dealing with the tongue, the heart, discipline, and the fear of the Lord.
In Proverbs 15:1–2, Solomon, inspired by the Holy Spirit, is not merely giving social etiquette. He is unveiling spiritual causality:
Imagine an Israelite young man being taught by his father. The father would recite these proverbs so his son would learn how to speak in a way that aligns with God’s order rather than with human impulse. This was wisdom for family life, community relations, and national stability.
Yet we must remember: the same God who inspired these words has not changed. What He required of Israel, He now, through the Holy Spirit, works in us under the New Covenant. The wisdom of Proverbs 15 is fully consistent with the teaching of Jesus and the apostles.
To understand these verses more deeply, we will consider two key Hebrew words.
### 1) “Soft / Gentle” – רַךְ (rakh)
In Proverbs 15:1:
“A soft answer turns away wrath…”
The Hebrew word is rakh. It means:
It does not mean weak or cowardly. It describes a heart and tongue that are not hard. A “soft answer” is an answer that is:
It is a Spirit-governed response rather than a flesh-driven reaction.
So when the lyrics say, “A gentle answer quiets anger,” we must understand: This is not merely “politeness.” It is the expression of a heart that has surrendered its right to retaliate. It is the character of Christ in verbal form.
### 2) “Turns Away / Quiet[s]” – שׁוּב (shuv)
Again in Proverbs 15:1:
“A soft answer turns away wrath…”
The Hebrew verb is shuv. This is one of the most important verbs in the Old Testament. It means:
Here it carries the idea of diverting or causing to withdraw. So the verse literally says:
“A soft answer causes wrath to turn back.”
This is far more than tolerating an angry person. It means your gentle response, empowered by God, has the power to reverse the direction of an angry situation. Your tongue becomes a spiritual instrument that redirects an atmosphere.
Instead of escalating tension, the soft answer repents the situation—turns it around.
So the lyrics, “A gentle answer quiets anger,” are precisely accurate. But if we add the weight of the Hebrew, we can say:
This is not psychological technique. This is spiritual authority expressed through a sanctified tongue.
The lyrics repeat Proverbs 15:1–2:
> A gentle answer quiets anger,
> but harsh words stir it up.
> The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing,
> but the mouth of a fool gushes out foolishness.
We will consider four main themes:
1. The tongue as a spiritual instrument
2. Gentleness as a weapon in spiritual conflict
3. Wisdom in communication
4. The folly of uncontrolled speech
### 4.1 The Tongue as a Spiritual Instrument
Scripture consistently teaches that the tongue is one of the most spiritually significant parts of our body.
Our words create atmospheres. They open doors to either the Holy Spirit or to demonic agitation. Words are not mere sounds; they are carriers of spirit.
Jesus said:
> “The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” (John 6:63)
Our words, though not on the level of Christ’s, still carry spiritual power—either aligned with God or opposed to Him. That is why Paul instructs:
> “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” (Eph. 4:29, NKJV)
Corrupt words do not impart grace; they impart something else—bitterness, anger, resentment, fear.
So when Proverbs says a soft answer turns away wrath, it is revealing this spiritual reality: The tongue can change the spiritual climate.
### 4.2 Gentleness as a Weapon in Spiritual Conflict
The world sees gentleness as weakness. Scripture reveals it as spiritual strength under God’s control.
> “A gentle answer quiets anger…”
This is precisely in line with the New Testament:
A “soft tongue” can break bone. That is, gentle, Spirit-governed speech can overcome the hardest resistance. This is the exact opposite of our natural reaction. The flesh wants to answer anger with anger, insult with insult, attack with attack.
Peter writes:
> “Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless…” (1 Pet. 3:9)
A gentle answer is not passivity. It is spiritual warfare conducted in the realm of speech. When you respond gently where your flesh wants to strike back, you are:
This is why Jesus said:
> “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matt. 5:9)
Peacemakers are not those who merely avoid conflict; they are those who enter tense situations with words that turn away wrath.
### 4.3 Wisdom in Communication: Making Knowledge Appealing
The lyrics continue:
> “The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing…”
The ESV reads: “The tongue of the wise commends knowledge.”
The key thought is this: Wisdom knows how to make truth attractive and fitting.
This touches a vital principle: it is not enough to have knowledge; we must speak it wisely.
Wisdom asks:
The wise man does not only communicate facts. He communicates in such a way that the listener is more likely to receive and value the truth. He “makes knowledge appealing.”
This is God’s own method. He does not only give us truth; He gives it in a way that draws us. The supreme example is Jesus:
> “And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth.” (Luke 4:22)
Gracious words make truth attractive without diluting it.
### 4.4 The Mouth of the Fool: Gushing Foolishness
The lyrics end:
> “But the mouth of a fool gushes out foolishness.”
The Hebrew picture behind “pours out” or “gushes” (Proverbs 15:2) suggests bubbling, spewing, overflowing. The fool’s problem is not merely that he occasionally says something unwise. His mouth is an uncontrolled outlet for what is in his heart.
Jesus said:
> “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Matt. 12:34)
So when a fool’s mouth “gushes out foolishness,” it reveals an internal reservoir of folly. In spiritual terms, this can be:
Proverbs repeatedly warns:
A fool is defined, not by intelligence, but by his attitude toward God and by his unrestrained speech. He treats his tongue as his own property, to be used as he pleases.
The wise man recognizes:
“My tongue is not my own. It is an instrument of righteousness to be yielded to God” (cf. Rom. 6:13).
### 4.5 Spiritual Warfare in Relationships
These verses are not merely for “nice” conversation; they are central to spiritual warfare in relationships.
When harsh words are spoken, there is often a demonic component. James connects bitter jealousy, selfish ambition, and quarrels with wisdom that is “earthly, unspiritual, demonic” (James 3:14–16).
A harsh word can:
A gentle answer, by contrast:
This is why Paul says:
> “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (Rom. 12:18)
It does not always depend on you; some will reject peace. But your responsibility is clear: Your tongue must never be the instrument that stirs up anger.
The book of Proverbs is given not just to inform us, but to transform our conduct. Here are four practical steps, or spiritual disciplines, drawn from Proverbs 15:1–2.
### 5.1 First, We Must Acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus Over Our Tongue
Jesus is not only Lord of our spirit and our body; He must be Lord of our mouth.
We must explicitly surrender our tongue to Him. This is an act of consecration.
You may say in prayer: “Lord Jesus, I yield my tongue to You. Let my mouth be Your instrument. Put a guard over my lips. Let no word proceed that does not please You.”
This is the first and decisive step: to recognize that your tongue is not yours to use as you like.
### 5.2 Second, We Must Cultivate the Fear of the Lord Within Our Hearts
Gentle words come from a heart that fears God more than it fears losing an argument. The fear of the Lord is a central theme in Proverbs:
If we fear the Lord, we will be more afraid of dishonoring Him with our speech than of being humiliated by another person’s words.
Ask the Holy Spirit to develop in you a deep reverence for God, so that every word is weighed in light of His presence.
### 5.3 Third, We Must Practice the Discipline of the “Soft Answer”
Discipline means you act contrary to your impulses because you submit to a higher principle. Practically, this may involve:
You may even develop a simple inner rule: “When I feel anger rising, I will lower my tone and slow my speech.” This is not hypocrisy; it is submission to the Word of God.
Remember: you are not trying to win an argument; you are trying to turn away wrath and protect the spiritual atmosphere.
### 5.4 Fourth, We Must Fill Our Hearts With God’s Wisdom So Our Tongue Can “Commend Knowledge”
The tongue of the wise can only make knowledge appealing if it is filled with God’s Word.
As you meditate on Scripture, the Holy Spirit will not only give you what to say, but how to say it. He will teach you timing, tone, and tact.
Make it a priority to:
Over time, your habitual way of speaking will change. People will sense wisdom and grace in your words. This is a work of the Holy Spirit in cooperation with your obedience.
### Proclamation
Say this out loud, thoughtfully and deliberately:
> “I affirm today that death and life are in the power of my tongue.
> I choose to submit my mouth to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
> By His grace, I will give a soft answer that turns away wrath,
> and I refuse to use harsh words that stir up anger.
> The Holy Spirit governs my speech.
> He gives me the tongue of the wise,
> so that I may make God’s knowledge appealing and desirable.
> I will not be a fool whose mouth gushes foolishness.
> My words shall be instruments of peace,
> of truth, and of grace,
> to the glory of God the Father,
> in the name of Jesus. Amen.”
### Prayer
Lord God,
You have taught us that a soft answer turns away wrath and that the tongue of the wise commends knowledge. I confess that many times my words have stirred up anger and poured out foolishness. I repent of every harsh, careless, and unclean word I have spoken.
I ask You now: cleanse my lips by the blood of Jesus. Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips. Fill my heart with Your fear and with Your wisdom, so that out of the abundance of my heart, my mouth will speak words that please You.
Holy Spirit, produce in me the fruit of gentleness. In moments of tension, remind me of Your Word. Enable me to give a soft answer that turns away wrath, and to speak truth with grace. Make my tongue an instrument of righteousness, peace, and healing in my home, in my relationships, and in my church.
I receive Your help now, and I thank You that You are able to transform my speech. In the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.
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