The tongue of the wise brings healing.
—Proverbs 12:18
The doctor’s credentials were impressive, but his manners were abrasive. He had the communication skills and compassion of a cabbage—brusque and tactless.
Ring any bells? We all encounter tactless people—and distance ourselves.
A tactless pulpit has driven more people away than it has drawn in. The like-minded call it courageous. The offended call it crude and cruel.
Be careful, Christian! What you say is important. So is how you say it. Don’t hide offensive speech behind the smug excuse of, “I’m just plain-spoken.”
Tips from Proverbs 15:
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (v. 1).
“The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing” (v. 2 NLT).
“How good is a timely word” (v. 23).
“The heart of the righteous thinks carefully about how to answer” (v. 28 AMP).
How you say it is as
important as what you say.