Proverbs 29:8
“Mockers stir up a city, but the wise turn away anger.”
The contrast here is the impact of two different kinds of responses….
1. The mocker ‘stirs up’ the anger present in a city.
To mock is: to ridicule or laugh at in a scornful or contemptuous manner.
‘Stirring up’ in other bible translations is to set a city aflame or on fire.
2. The wise man does just the opposite – he turns away any brewing anger.
So, how does he do that? What does that look like?
Proverbs 15:1
“A gentle answer turns away anger but a harsh word stirs up wrath.”
Gentle – having or showing a mild, kind, or tender temperament or character.
This contrast of responses to brewing anger is true for a city but it is also true for any size community; two people or an entire nation. Gentle will win the day!
Prayer.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the fruit of the spirit of gentleness. Help me to be a man who is prepared to give a gentle answer to those who are frustrated, annoyed or angry. In Jesus Name, Amen.