I. It is a very hard thing to live through a month without being unkind or angry. Calm and sweet tempers are rare; and perhaps we may say, without disparaging their value or their beauty, that it is not to these to which we naturally look for the most conspicuous services in the cause of God. Their province is to heal, to calm, to sweeten life; but perhaps it is from more fiery yes, and more turbulent natures, that we must expect the initiative in works of good.
II. "A soft answer turneth away wrath." Some provocation is presupposed; some one has, or fancies he has, a grievance. Such grievances must arise in our common life. In this sense, "it must be that offences come." What an opening there is here for our putting in practice Solomon's wise and truly Christian proverb: "A soft answer turneth away wrath"!
III. If there be such happiness in a soft answer, how is it that it is so hard to give it? There is one great obstacle to which all others may be reduced the obstacle of pride. When harsh words are addressed to us which we feel to be unmerited, we cannot bring ourselves to forego the delight of a successful retort, still less can we bear to admit that any part of the wrong is of our doing. Pride disguises itself very cunningly, so that even a high-minded Christian is misled by its craft.
IV. Remember the blessing pronounced on the peacemakers. No man ever repented the endeavour to rekindle "quietness, peace, and love" among friends who ought never to have been parted.
H. M. Butler, Harrow Sermons,2nd series, p. 163.
References: Proverbs 15:1. W. Arnot, Laws from Heaven, 1st series, p. 424.Proverbs 15:1-6. R. Wardlaw, Lectures on Proverbs,vol. ii., p. 20. Proverbs 15:3; Proverbs 15:11. W. Arnot, Laws from Heaven,2nd series, p. 9. Proverbs 15:4. W. Gladden, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xxvii., p. 132.Proverbs 15:6. T. Wallace, Ibid.,vol. xi., p. 174; H. J. Wilmot Buxton, Literary Churchman Sermons,p. 153.Proverbs 15:7-12. R. Wardlaw, Lectures on Proverbs,vol. ii., p. 29. Proverbs 15:11. Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. iv., No. 177. Proverbs 15:13. W. Arnot, Laws from Heaven,2nd series, p. 30. Proverbs 15:13-20. R. Wardlaw, Lectures on Proverbs,vol. ii., p. 40. Proverbs 15:14; Proverbs 15:31. W. Arnot, Laws from Heaven,2nd series, p. 37. Proverbs 15:16; Proverbs 15:17. Clergyman's Magazine,vol. xi., p. 152.Proverbs 15:19. Spurgeon, My Sermon Note19 Genesis to Proverbs,p. 172.