| “The anger of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult.” – Proverbs 12:16 |
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| The Wise will Carefully CHOOSE their Response to the Critic In the multitude of contrasts found in Proverbs, we have a proverb that contrasts a response to the critic. Whereas the fool responds with indignation to the insult the prudent (the wise) ignores the insult. The fool is ready to beat up the person while the prudent brushes it off. The fool has no patience and explodes in retaliation. The prudent, on the other hand, will carefully choose their response with patience and will refuse to engage in senseless name-calling to defuse the matter. The fool has no filter! Their action only makes the matter worse. Having read the above, where are you in your response to the critic? Are you more like the FOOL who is quick-tempered, with a short fuse, and responds with equal or MORE force? Are you more like the prudent? Do you carefully consider your responses to the critic? BTW – I like to define the prudent as one who carefully considers the consequences of their choices. Do you process the critic’s attack and insults with a patient thoughtful response? Here are a few thoughts on responding to the critic’s insults: Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. NLT “A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.” Proverbs 23:9 Don’t speak to a fool, for he will despise the insight of your words. Working with Dr. Jerry Falwell, who had many insults hurled at him, I heard him many times say never defend yourself as your friends don’t need it and your enemies will not believe you anyway. As you live and breathe living and serving the Lord you will be attacked and criticized. I had only been a Christian a short time when I encountered vicious name-calling. My past life without Christ was demanding a response of both verbal and physical, but the new life in Christ was calling for self-control. While not easy, I ignored the insults that day. Remember that as Christians our testimony is so often revealed by our temper and our tongue. We reveal just how different we are when we don’t return an insult with an insult. Verse to DATE the Word on December 16 (12/16) is Proverbs 12:16. It says, “The anger of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult.” Continue Strong with self-control of temper and tongue! And remember to DATE THE WORD |