Love Is Tactful, Not Just Truthful

In review of Proverbs 16:21 it says, “A wise, mature person is known for his understanding. The more pleasant his words, the more persuasive he is.”

Bottom Line:

Good judgment proves that you are wise, and if you speak kindly, you can teach others.

What this means to me:

It would be wise and show good judgement and understanding on my part if I could speak words with pleasantness and kindness. In this manner, I can be much more persuasive in helping others learn. I will never get away from having difficult people around me in life. The real key will be in how I respond to them. Proverbs 16:21 says, “A wise, mature person is known for his understanding. The more pleasant his words, the more persuasive he is” (TEV).  The more pleasant I am, the more persuasive I can be. I need to keep in mind that  I’ll never be persuasive when I’m abrasive. The way I say something determines the way it’s received. If I say something offensively, it’s going to be received defensively. That’s why love is all about my words. Love is truthful, but it is also tactful. Tact and tone will always go together. It matters the way I say something, not just what I say. I can say something very difficult for someone to hear, but if I say it in the right tone, a loving tone, it will be received much better. A loving response to a difficult person will require that I be pleasant and tactful. If I want to respond the way Jesus would, I would show that person love with the words I say and the way I say them. In communications with others, my expressions and tone play a big part in how what I say is received.  Today I will be cautious in how I relate, keeping love and kindness in mind.  I will strive to be very tactful in what I say and communicate.