November 1    

Arrows of the Almighty

A War Over Words

“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1)

     World War I was one of the most destructive conflicts of modern times and it started over bad words that ended with the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary and his wife,Sophie, on July 28, 1914. Nations took sides and soon the whole world was at war!

     We have all seen such staggering tragedies among family and friends because of hateful or thoughtless words. As James 3:5 records, “See how great a forest a little fire kindles!” This verse in Proverbs tells us that “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

     It has been said that rumors are carried by haters, spread by fools and accepted by idiots. Hard words, but true. We have all seen tragic results of some small talk or comment. Therefore let’s you and I stop reacting and start moving in the Spirit of God. Let’s obey the small corrections in our own spirit to be kind and not repeat things.

     Remember what the prophet said of our Savior in Isaiah 53:7, “He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth.” Those who hear the call of Jesus to follow him will never retaliate but speak and move in the Spirit of God. “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life,. . . and a word spoken in due season, how good it is!” (Pro. 15:4, 23)