Proverbs 15:01
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A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
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How can there be a fight, when one party simply turns the other cheek (Matt 5:38-42)?
Truly, here is one of Solomon's most valuable proverbs. If you remember this rule, you can handle every angry adversary and any confrontation. If everyone practiced this rule, peace would be increased in every place. What a blessed rule, from the Prince of Peace!
A common phrase from schoolyards to explain fighting declares, "It takes two to fight." How true! If either party were to stop fighting and show kindness, every fight would end.
But provocative and offensive words, the ones we naturally think of when angrily confronted or defending ourselves in pride, cause every fight to escalate and continue. Sometimes they are rightly called "fighting words." A fight will get worse and do much greater damage, unless you quickly bring the contention to an end (17:14; 26:21).
If a party is angry with you, even if it is your fault, you can end the matter peaceably by responding gently and kindly, rather than with your own anger in defense (12:16; 15:18; 29:22). Will you crush your pride and end the fight (13:10; 21:24; 28:25)? Our rule works with family members, job situations, the government, or anyone else. Use it.
Solomon taught great fear of kings, for kings were very dreadful then (19:12; 20:2). But he also taught even their wrath could be pacified by yielding (16:14; Eccl 10:4). Gentle words are your most powerful weapon against an offended prince, or anyone else (25:15).
This is godly peacemaking. Jesus promised blessing on peacemakers (Matt 5:9), and He taught those who may have offended another to go and be reconciled to them (Matt 5:23-26). He applied our proverb by teaching you to agree quickly with your adversary to bring matters to an end. The Spirit of Christ, which every true saint desires to have, is peaceable, gentle, easy to be intreated, and makes peace actively (James 3:17-18).
The sons of Zeruiah, David's nephews, were too hard for him (II Sam 3:39); and Jesus rebuked the sons of thunder, James and John, for their ungodly spirit (Luke 9:55). Lord, save us from fighting spirits and give us the meek and gentle spirit of Christ (II Cor 10:1).
Can you fight a pillow? Impossible. The pillow will take any blows you give it without hitting back. This is no fight; your punches are absorbed, and the pillow is not hurt; so you quickly give up, and the fight is over. If only we could always be pillows to anger.
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