A Soft Answer Really Does Turn Away Wrath

  Proverbs 15: 1, "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger."

  Remember, a proverb is a word of wisdom that is generally, not always, but generally the case. A soft answer is not always accepted in the spirit that it is given and therefore does not turn away wrath in every circumstance. But it did regarding Gideon and the men of Ephraim (Judges 8). Oreb and Zeeb had a complaint against Gideon which we will not discuss here. But notice how Gideon dealt with them and their complaint. "What have I done in comparison to you?"

  Rather than telling them off, he bragged on what they had done in the battle against the Midianites. That defused their anger and won their support.

  It is generally a good idea to find the good people do and help them see their worth rather than simply showing them how insignificant and wrong they are.