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 John 16:33 In the world ye shall have tribulation.Art thou asking the reason of this, believer? Look upward to thy heavenly Father, and behold him pure and holy. Dost thou know that thou art one day to be like him? Wilt thou easily be conformed to his image? Wilt thou not require much refining in the furnace of affliction to purify thee? Will it be an easy thing to get rid of thy corruptions, and make thee perfect even as thy Father which is in heaven is perfect? Next, Christian, turn thine eye downward. Dost thou know what foes thou hast beneath thy feet? Thou wast once a servant of Satan, and no king will willingly lose his subjects. Dost thou think that Satan will let thee alone? No, he will be always at thee, for he "goeth about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." Expect trouble, therefore, Christian, when thou lookest beneath thee. Then look around thee. Where art thou? Thou art in an enemy's country, a stranger and a sojourner. The world is not thy friend. If it be, then thou art not God's friend, for he who is the friend of the world is the enemy of God. Be assured that thou shalt find foe-men everywhere. When thou sleepest, think that thou art resting on the battlefield; when thou walkest, suspect an ambush in every hedge. As mosquitoes are said to bite strangers more than natives, so will the trials of earth be sharpest to you. Lastly, look within thee, into thine own heart and observe what is there. Sin and self are still within. Ah! if thou hadst no devil to tempt thee, no enemies to fight thee, and no world to ensnare thee, thou wouldst still find in thyself evil enough to be a sore trouble to thee, for "the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked." Expect trouble then, but despond not on account of it, for God is with thee to help and to strengthen thee. He hath said, "I will be with thee in trouble; I will deliver thee and honor thee." Daily Light on the Daily Path Matthew 5:48 "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.Genesis 17:1 Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am God Almighty; Walk before Me, and be blameless. Leviticus 20:26 'Thus you are to be holy to Me, for I the LORD am holy; and I have set you apart from the peoples to be Mine. 1 Corinthians 6:20 For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body. Colossians 2:10 and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority; Titus 2:14 who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. 2 Peter 3:14 Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, Psalm 119:1 Aleph. How blessed are those whose way is blameless, Who walk in the law of the LORD. James 1:25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. Psalm 139:23,24 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; • And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way. 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. |
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