Show Love by Being Gentle

In Proverbs 15:1 I read, “A gentle answer quiets anger, but a harsh one stirs it up.” (GNT)

Gentleness on my part will diffuse conflict, disarm critics, be persuasive, and be more attractive. Gentleness communicates love.

In marriage, the quickest way to improve the marriage is to start talking to your spouse more gently. It’ll do wonders! How many married couples could benefit from Proverbs 15:1, which says, “A gentle answer quiets anger, but a harsh one stirs it up” (Proverbs 15:1 GNT)? Any fool can be selfish. Any fool can be rough. Any fool can be rude. But a gentle answer will goe a long way.  

In marriage we’ll end up hurting each other emotionally many times—so a great marriage is simply the union of two great forgivers. Both need to be great at forgiving. That’s a part of gentleness.

Gentleness is not only the key to an effective marriage; it’s also the key to effective parenting. As a parent or grandparent, never discipline out of anger or frustration, but always gently and out of love. The Bible says in Ephesians 6:4, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger . . . but bring them up [tenderly, with lovingkindness] in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (AMP). 

Display strength under control, and not yell at others. Show your love through a gentle nature. I need to let my gentle response do the same in relationships.

This principle is the same for all relationships. Keep in mind, “A gentle answer quiets anger, but a harsh one stirs it up” (Proverbs 15:1 GNT).

I find It's hard to argue in a whisper. It's equally hard to argue with someone who insists on answering softly or gently. A rising voice and harsh words almost always trigger an angry response. To turn away wrath and seek peace, I can choose quiet and gentle words.

A tip that will save me a lot of heartache and conflict is when others raise their voice, to lower mine. This is called strength under control. Gentleness will defuse conflict. It deescalates anger. When someone raises their voice in anger, instead of getting defensive, practice gentleness. Let my gentle answer disarm the other person and diffuse the situation.