Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Proverbs 15:1 (05/18/23)
-
TITLE: God's Air Raid Siren | Previous Challenge Entry
By Doug Laird
05/23/23 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger (Proverbs 15: 1 NASB).”
GENTLE is an English translation of the Hebrew word r-a-k, meaning to be soft in comparison. TURNS AWAY is an English translation of the Hebrew word s-h-u-b meaning to turn back or, as in this case, return. WRATH is an English translation of the Hebrew word c-h-e-m-a-h referring to heated rage. HARSH is an English translation of the Hebrew word e-t-s-e-b refering to a painful or hurtful thing, in this case, a word(s). STIRS UP is an English translation of the Hebrew word a-l-a-h meaning to rise up at once. ANGER Is an English translation of the Hebrew word a-p-h referring to the impact of a sudden intake of something through a nostril.
Harsh words can generate a strong, in this case a negative, reaction in our emotions, just as the ammonia in smelling salts can impact the nostrils in the natural realm.
The spiritual fragrance of the unadulterated Gospel Message and or an edifying Biblical principle has a pleasant aroma to a believer, but can be a stench that rains on the parade of an unbeliever, or back sliding believer (1).
Proverbs 15: 1 is teaching how a communicator is to handle the inevitable hostile reactions that can take place when the truth is spoken.
At times, the accurate preaching and teaching of Scripture brings about comfort, hope, and reassurance. At other times, it brings about an unpleasant and disturbing odor in the proverbial nostrils of the recipients.
Discovering, or having error(s) in our personal belief system pointed out to us, can be unsettling and challenging. But such things are necessary, if one is to continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord (2).
Venting and expressing the generated anger towards the communicator is a common, natural response, that reveals the inherent hostility of the indwelling fallen nature towards God and the things of God (3).
Advancing disciples must not only be prepared with what to say, but how to say it, when a 1Pet. 3: 15 opportunity presents itself.
Advancing disciples are here to inform; not to reform anyone, but themselves (4).
Advancing disciples are NOT here to debate, argue, threaten, or to otherwise attempt to force a change in the minds of those who choose to take exception to the truth. The cutting edge of the Word of God is sharp enough to make the necessary impact (5)!
Once the truth(s) have been communicated, the function of the advancing disciple is done. What the recipients do with the information is between them and God. Making it, or taking rejection of the truth personally, is a satanic trap, designed to build walls preventing future interaction.
Granted, God will use the unspoken and spoken testimony of an advancing disciple to convey His truth(s), but it is the work of God the Holy Spirit to convict the wandering soul of his or her need of salvation.
Likewise, it is the ongoing work of God the Holy Spirit to convict a born-again believer of his or her post salvation, ongoing, need of self-examination, edification, and confession (6).
When the unadulterated Gospel Message or an edifying principle of Bible Doctrine does not find a home in the heart of the recipient, the “natural” response will be to either go on the defensive mode (self-justifying his or her actions or inactions), or on the offensive mode (attacking either the message or the messenger).
When it is the messenger under attack, there will be the natural tendency and temptation for the communicator to respond in kind, often citing their position of pastoral, marital, or parental authority, rather than respond in the “soft” Proverbs 15: 1 manner, and sticking to the issue at hand.
New Testament Scripture (7) promotes the same gentle strategy.
In closing, don’t assume to know what the needs of others may be, at any given time. Sometimes God uses us to plant seeds. Other times He uses us to water, cultivate, or reap the harvest that others have planted.
Advancing disciples are to live and speak the truth, leaving the outcome in the hands of God.
_____
(1) 2Cor. 2: 16 (2) Pet. 3: 18 (3) Romans 7: 23 (4) Matt. 7: 3 (5) Heb. 5: 12 (6) 2Cor. 13: 5/2Pet. 3: 18/1John 1: 9 (7) 1Pet. 3: 15
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
Thank you.
Blessings~