Bible League: Living His Word With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.— Proverbs 25:15 ESV Our natural inclinations are often wrong and ineffective, so very different from what God would intend for us. We eat when we are not hungry, rest when we should exercise, and procrastinate when we should finish the task. When it comes to the rightful power of persuasion in relationship with others, especially when the one who is to be persuaded is someone in authority, we may be surprised to hear that God states that it is not the forceful voice, but the one who waits patiently and speaks softly that wins the day. The word "patience" ("orek" in Hebrew) has the sense of something long or lengthy, as in describing Noah's ark (Genesis 6:15), or the land God was promising Abram (Genesis 13:17). But along with this sense of physical length is another dimension, measuring the forbearance of one who patiently advocates before an authority. This suggests that the one in authority has a different opinion, and the persuader forbears over a prolonged period for a change to be made. People in authority, or "rulers" as our verse calls them, do not quickly change their opinions. It is the wise person who gently and respectfully applies influence on a decision over an extended period of time that may bring the greatest impact upon a needed change. One thinks of William Wilberforce who relentlessly advocated for two decades for the British government to pass a law prohibiting the transatlantic slave trade between Britain and the United States. Forbearance is certainly a necessary trait for those who would wisely represent God's ways before the world today. But there is a second tool mentioned, as equally persuasive—a "soft tongue." Of course, we mean a gentle voice. And yet, how contrary that is from what normally takes place whenever confrontation rears its head! It is not boisterousness and bravado that wins the day with those in authority. Consider Joseph before Pharoah, or Daniel before the kings he served in Babylon. Great confidence was earned by these servants of God by speaking clearly and honestly, but always with a steady, respectful, and soft voice. And the great King Solomon wrote again of the power of a soft answer in Proverbs 15:1. Of those who have led with forbearance and gentle words, Jesus stands most significantly among them all. We may think of the patience He endured with his disciples (particularly Peter). His words were gentle but spoken in ways that made others marvel. Soft words can hold much power, as our verse suggests. This was especially true as Jesus caused the crowd in the garden to stagger at the mere pronouncement of his identity. "Soft-tongued" people do not make enemies like those who speak harshly. They do not crush the egos of others and trample the efforts of those with whom they work or live. The "bones" that are broken with a soft and respectful tongue are healed more quickly, earning trust from leaders who more readily see the wisdom of fresh ideas. As ambassadors of Christ, we have wisdom accessed from the Word of God and the model of Jesus. Our Savior used both His words and His silence as a lamb before shearers (Isaiah 53:7), crushing death under the weight of obedience to the Father. There is real power in the use and balance of forbearance and gentle words. We would be wise to use them that way for the sake of representing our Savior. By Bill Niblette, Ph.D., Bible League International staff, Pennsylvania U.S. Bible in a Year Old Testament Reading1 Kings 6, 7 1 Kings 6 -- The Building of Solomon's Temple NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB 1 Kings 7 -- The Building of Solomon's Palace NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Luke 23:27-38 Luke 23 -- Jesus before Pilate and Herod; Jesus' Crucifixion and Burial NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion Young people, it's wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want to do; take it all in. But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do. So refuse to worry, and keep your body healthy. But remember that youth, with a whole life before you, is meaningless.Insight We often hear people say, “It doesn't matter.” But many of your choices will be irreversible—they will stay with you for a lifetime. What you do when you're young does matter. Challenge Enjoy life now, but don't do anything physically, morally, or spiritually that will prevent you from enjoying life when you are old. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Psalm 46:1 A very present help.Covenant blessings are not meant to be looked at only, but to be appropriated. Even our Lord Jesus is given to us for our present use. Believer, thou dost not make use of Christ as thou oughtest to do. When thou art in trouble, why dost thou not tell him all thy grief? Has he not a sympathizing heart, and can he not comfort and relieve thee? No, thou art going about to all thy friends, save thy best Friend, and telling thy tale everywhere except into the bosom of thy Lord. Art thou burdened with this day's sins? Here is a fountain filled with blood: use it, saint, use it. Has a sense of guilt returned upon thee? The pardoning grace of Jesus may be proved again and again. Come to him at once for cleansing. Dost thou deplore thy weakness? He is thy strength: why not lean upon him? Dost thou feel naked? Come hither, soul; put on the robe of Jesus' righteousness. Stand not looking at it, but wear it. Strip off thine own righteousness, and thine own fears too: put on the fair white linen, for it was meant to wear. Dost thou feel thyself sick? Pull the night-bell of prayer, and call up the Beloved Physician! He will give the cordial that will revive thee. Thou art poor, but then thou hast "a kinsman, a mighty man of wealth." What! wilt thou not go to him, and ask him to give thee of his abundance, when he has given thee this promise, that thou shalt be joint heir with him, and has made over all that he is and all that he has to be thine? There is nothing Christ dislikes more than for his people to make a show-thing of him, and not to use him. He loves to be employed by us. The more burdens we put on his shoulders, the more precious will he be to us. "Let us be simple with him, then, Not backward, stiff, or cold, As though our Bethlehem could be What Sinai was of old." Daily Light on the Daily Path 2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Psalm 51:6 Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom. Titus 2:12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, Matthew 5:16 "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Philippians 3:12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 1 John 3:3 And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. 2 Corinthians 5:5 Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge. Ephesians 4:12,13 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; • until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
    |