The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Proverbs 15:1-8, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, but the mouth of fools spouts folly.
3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, watching the evil and the good.
4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but perversion in it crushes the spirit.
5 A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but he who regards reproof is sensible.
6 Great wealth is in the house of the righteous, but trouble is in the income of the wicked.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge, But the hearts of fools are not so.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.”

Perhaps I shouldn’t say this, but I had to learn what a “gentle answer” actually was, and that it applies and works in virtually every situation! My “tongue” was evident from the start, but it took a good deal of time for me to become “wise” in using it.

“The eyes of the LORD” can actually control the use of the tongue, if we just allow it. Far too often we want to “answer-in-kind.” We just need to learn that a “soothing tongue” is far better than the “perversion” that crushes the spirit. As there are situations in which we would not want to be found, so there are situations in which the “tongue” is best not found.

I never witnessed my earthly father misuse his tongue. My mother attested that he was always in control of his entire demeanor. “Great wealth is in the house of the righteous.” I did not grow up in a house of great monetary wealth. But, I grew up in a household that possessed great “control of the tongue.” The lips of my parents poured forth knowledge; I just missed some fundamental lectures.

Thankfully, the LORD loves us, forgives our stubborn stupidity, and offers us yet another opportunity. Grasp the truths that are revealed in the Bible. Learn to be and do good! Such characteristics delight the LORD and all who are around you.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom