Answering Gently or Harshly

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Aug 21, 2026, 6:01:33 AM (2 days ago) Aug 21

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ANSWERING GENTLY OR HARSHLY

Pr 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

This is more descriptive than it is prescriptive. It is not that we should always answer gently. For harsh words are often called for, with predictable results. Such was the case in the ministry of Jesus and his apostles - leading them to be persecuted and even killed, like Stephen the first Christian martyr who was killed soon after declaring, "You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it." Acts 7:51-53 Examples of this type of rhetoric are abundant in the Bible among God's messengers. Thus frequently we are called to use harsh words - and yes, with predictable results.

On the other hand it also says, "the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will." 2Tim 2:24-26

In general it appears in practice through the Bible that one starts with gentle words, but if people continue to be unteachable, harsher words are called for, which stirs up anger - but that's all a part of Christian ministry to stir up the anger of the stiff-necked.