The Gentle Tongue

A soft answer turns away wrath,

    but a harsh word stirs up anger.

2 

The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,

    but the mouths of fools pour out folly.

3 

The eyes of the Lord are in every place,

    keeping watch on the evil and the good.

4 

A gentle tongue is a tree of life,

    but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

5 

A fool despises his father's instruction,

    but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.

6 

In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,

    but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.

7 

The lips of the wise spread knowledge;

    not so the hearts of fools.

(Proverbs 15:1-7)

Want to know if you are being foolish? Close your eyes and listen to yourself. Really listen to yourself.  Do you really believe what you are saying? It the intensity of your voice really that necessary?  Do you really believe that God is looking at you and listening to you right now?  Would you really say that if you did?  The gentle tongue is not silent. It does not refrain from the truth. It does speak. But it speaks thoughtfully, really caring about what is said and how it influences (more than impacts) those to whom it speaks.  Don't stop speaking; stop spouting.  How long can you go with your eyes closed, really listening to what you are saying? Then open them and see God watching, waiting to talk to you about them.