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.