--- title: "Peacemaker Ministries Devotional: A Soft Answer" description: A soft answer or gentle response defuses anger. A sharp or harsh word rouses anger. image: https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1581702841519.png --- [![wordmark-sm](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hs-fs/hubfs/wordmark-sm.png?width=320&name=wordmark-sm.png "wordmark-sm")](https://grow.peacemaker.training) [![wordmark-sm](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hs-fs/hubfs/wordmark-sm.png?width=320&name=wordmark-sm.png "wordmark-sm")](https://grow.peacemaker.training) - [Store](https://pm.training/store/) - [Events](https://pm.training/events/) - [Events & Webinars](https://pm.training/events/) - [Bring Peacemaker to You](https://peacemaker.training/event-pricing/) - Help - [Conflict Training](https://peacemaker.training/conflict-training/) - [Conflict Reconciliation](https://peacemaker.training/conflict-reconciliation/) - [Peacemaker Consulting](https://peacemaker.training/peacemaker-consulting/) - [About](https://pm.training/about/) - [About the Ministry](https://pm.training/about/) - [Our Beliefs](https://pm.training/beliefs/) - [Staff and Board](https://peacemaker.training/staff-board/) - [Policies and Finances](https://peacemaker.training/policies-finances/) - [Donate](https://pm.training/donate/) ![blog-header](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hs-fs/hubfs/blog-header.jpg?width=1920&name=blog-header.jpg "blog-header") # Everyday Peacemaker # Peacemaker Ministries Devotional: A Soft Answer by [P. Brian Noble](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/author/p-brian-noble) / March 13, 2020 [![](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1581702841519.png)](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotional-a-soft-answer) **Scripture ** *A soft answer turns away wrath, * but a harsh word stirs up anger.  *The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, * *but the mouths of fools pour out folly.* (Proverbs 15:1–2, ESV)  **Thoughts ** A soft answer or gentle response defuses anger. A sharp or harsh word rouses anger. Anger may be in the other person or inside you. Some people speak harshly to themselves—their self-talk is very unkind. Others speak sharply to their family and friends. Either pattern leads to anger or increases existing anger. But “softness” in speech, gentleness and kindness, are attributes of God. They will bring improvement in a situation over time.  *You have given me the shield of your salvation, * and your right hand supported me,  *and* ***your gentleness*** *made me great.* (Psalm 18:35, ESV, emphasis mine)  *Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that* ***God’s kindness*** *is meant to lead you to repentance?* (Romans 2:4, ESV, emphasis mine)  God’s gentleness and kindness are ever present in our lives. It’s hard for us to imagine a holy God who is wrathful, gentle and kind, but God is God, and he can be all those things at once without his attributes violating each other.  **Application ** Are you defusing anger or kindling anger? Are you using gentleness and kindness with those you’re in conflict with and with yourself? As you lean on God’s gentleness and kindness, let it inspire within you gentle answers toward those whom you oppose or who oppose you.  **Prayer ** Lord, help me to be gentle even with those I feel anger toward. Please infuse my tongue with your wisdom and my answers with your kindness. . . *Continue praying. *   *If you enjoyed today's devotional don't forget to join us Friday's at 2 p.m for our Facebook live show!* Tags: [devotion](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/tag/devotion), [Conflict](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/tag/conflict), [Proverbs](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/tag/proverbs) 0 Comments - - - - [previous post](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotional-jealous) Peacemaker Ministries Devotional: Jealous [Next Post](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotional-a-logs-worth-of-specks) Peacemaker Ministries Devotional: A Logs Worth of Specks ![P. Brian Noble](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/Brian_Headshots08242018.43-Edit.jpg) ### [P. Brian Noble](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/author/p-brian-noble) P. Brian Noble is an everyday guy who loves Jesus. He has been married to his best friend, Tanya, for 20 years and they have four children; they currently reside in eastern Washington. Brian has a Master of Arts in missional leadership from Northwest University. He is the Executive Director/CEO of Peacemaker Ministries. An ordained minister for the past 20+ years (3 years as a Youth Pastor, 14 years as a Senior Pastor, and 4 years as an Executive Pastor), he proclaims hope through the gospel message as the Holy Spirit empowers believers in their daily walk. He believes in the power of the Word of God to transform lives. He has been a Certified Christian Conciliator since 2008, with 1000+ hours of conflict coaching and mediation experience. His caseload has ranged from husband and wife cases, to family farm, to public schools, and even county government. Brian has taught peacemaking in local jails and even internationally in Uganda. His hope is that every Christian reconciles their differences in a way that glorifies God. His hope is that every Christian recognizes they are a Peacemaker before they try to do peacemaking. Finally, his hope is that every Christian reconciles by making authentic peace that blends justice, mercy, and humility. ### Related posts ![Peacemaker Ministries Devotion: Have Not Love](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1610752770948.png) [Peacemaker Ministries Devotion: Have Not Love](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotion-have-not-love) by [P. 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Brian Noble](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/author/p-brian-noble) April 10, 2020 ### Social Networks - - - - ### Newsletter Subscribe for New Blog Posts And Images.up to date form your inbox! ### Popular Posts ![feature image](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/IMG_0659.png) [My Pastor is Rude](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/my-pastor-is-rude) December 16, 2018 ![feature image](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1590774962450.png) [Prepare your Mind For Action](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/prepare-your-mind-for-action) June 5, 2020 ### Categories - [devotion (60)](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/tag/devotion) - [Peacemaker Wisdom (22)](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/tag/peacemaker-wisdom) - [The Path of a Peacemaker (16)](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/tag/the-path-of-a-peacemaker) ### Recent Posts ![feature image](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1610752812404.png) [Peacemaker Ministries Devotion: Cultivate It](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotion-cultivate-it) March 29, 2021 ![feature image](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1610752770948.png) [Peacemaker Ministries Devotion: Have Not Love](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotion-have-not-love) March 22, 2021 ![feature image](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1610752733844.png) [Peacemaker Ministries Devotion: Own Gift](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotion-own-gift) March 15, 2021 ![feature image](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1610752698859.png) [Peacemaker Ministries Devotion: Boast in God](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotion-boast-in-god) March 8, 2021 ![feature image](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1610752671036.png) [Peacemaker Ministries Devotion: A Logs Worth of Specks](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotion-a-logs-worth-of-specks) March 1, 2021 ![pm-logo-blog](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hs-fs/hubfs/pm-logo-blog.jpg?width=250&name=pm-logo-blog.jpg "pm-logo-blog") Peacemaker Ministries exists is to equip and assist Christians and their churches to respond to conflict biblically in their families, marriages, workplaces, and communities. ### Paths - [Family](https://pm.training/family/) - [Churches](https://pm.training/churches/) - [Workplaces](https://pm.training/workplace-choice/) - [Coaching](https://pm.training/coaching/) - ### Subscribe to Everyday Peacemaker Blog updates and we'll let you know when new posts are available! ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### Recent Posts ![feature image](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1610752812404.png) [Peacemaker Ministries Devotion: Cultivate It](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotion-cultivate-it) 29 March, 2021 ![feature image](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1610752770948.png) [Peacemaker Ministries Devotion: Have Not Love](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotion-have-not-love) 22 March, 2021 © Copyright 2017 | All Rights Reserved