“A gentle answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger.”  Proverbs 15:1
 
Gentle or harsh: contrasting adjectives.  How something is said can reveal how it is received. Often a word needs to be spoken in a situation, in other words ‘the right words, but with a wrong attitude.’  More is taken in than the words!  There is the tone of the voice, (the volume and pitch), the facial expression and the body language.  The word is often lost in a harsh delivery.  On the other hand when the word is gentle and non threatening the focus is on what is being said. 
 
Sadly,we all may have delivered and received a word harshly.  I am grateful for God’s wisdom in Proverbs 15:1.  This is a verse to commit to memory trusting the Holy Spirit to bring it forth in times of frustrating, impatient and harassing situations that are so much a part of living in today’s world.
 
There are several other verses in Proverbs 15 that speak of the tongue, the lips and mouth  as do other verses in the Book Proverbs.  
Here are a few from Chapter 15:
“The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly,
But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.”  Vs. 2
 
“The lips of the wise disperse knowledge,
But the heart of the fool does not do so.”  Vs. 7
 
“The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,
But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.  Vs. 14
 
“The heart of the righteous studies how to answer,
But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.”  Vs. 28
 
Concerning the hearing  15:31  tells us,
“The ear that hears the reproof of life
Will abide among the wise.”
  
The following is a quote from “The Open Bible, Expanded Edition”:
“The key word in Proverbs is wisdom, ‘the ability to live skillfully.’…God’s detailed instructions for His people to deal successfully with the practical affairs of everyday life: how to relate to God, parents, children, neighbors, and government.”  End of quote. 
 
“The fear (reverence) of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.  Proverbs 9:10
 
Wisdom is available to each of us as James 1:5 so clearly states,
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”
 
However, there is a ’but’, a condition, that Scripture makes very clear,
“But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the LORD; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”  James 1:6-8
(By faith, no wavering!)
 
Scripture tells us in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 that,
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  
 
With grateful hearts we thank you Lord for your word!  Amen