Keith Battle - Proverbial - Part 1

You know, as a pastor, we could say that everybody wants to talk about their issues, right? It’s Cancer Awareness Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Pastor Appreciation Month. I say it is Pastor Appreciation Month. I mention this because everybody’s agenda is primary to them. But today, I want to talk to you from the subject «Proverbial.» I’m using that subject because I’m going to read a couple of verses from Proverbs chapter 15. If you’d like to follow along in your Bible or Bible app, I’m not going to exhaust or examine the verse per se and unpack it hermeneutically. I really want to use the verse as a launching pad to share some things that are challenging me in my life—things that I’m learning, things that I haven’t mastered. Most of what I deal with in my life, I am managing and trying to navigate the challenge of being a preacher. You have to come up in front of a congregation every week and discuss topics even when you haven’t fully grasped them yourself. You don’t get to wait until you have four years of experience under your belt to master everything. Otherwise, I would only talk about the same thing every week. So this is a challenge. You may not say a lot in this message; hopefully, you will think a lot, and hopefully, it will inspire you to act differently or do some things differently. It will be a challenge. If you take notes, I think that’s a better way to learn. When you can write down what you’ve heard, it matters. It’s one thing to hear something, another to write it down, and yet another to put asterisks beside the things that really matter. Those are the things you’re supposed to act on, and then you have to put them in your calendar and plan to do something about them.

I’m going to start in Proverbs chapter 15, verse 1. I’m going to talk about three different things and use three verses from this chapter to discuss three different topics. The first verse is, «A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.» There are two types of responses given in this verse. The first is a gentle answer, which deflects anger. The second is harsh words, which escalate matters. We are all put in positions in life where we can choose one or the other. Someone may say something to us—someone we know, someone we live with, or even a stranger in the store. We can choose how to respond. I know that when I am confronted, that’s my moment—what the Bible is about. We always have opportunities to choose our responses. And here’s what I want to point out: there are always social systems at work. This verse reminds me of our social systems. I’ll give you three that came to mind.

First, understand that an answer is expected when someone speaks to you. In both cases, there’s a choice—one gentle response and one harsh one. Typically, we are supposed to respond, although there are some instances we should ignore. I love Proverbs 26:4-5 because it seems as though the Bible contradicts itself. Proverbs 26:4 states, «Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools or you will become as foolish as they are.» It suggests that sometimes, it’s best not to pay them any attention. Yet, the very next verse says, «Be sure to answer the foolish arguments of fools, or they will become wise in their own estimation.» So, do we answer them or not? It depends on the situation; it’s case-by-case. There are times when it makes no sense to respond. That’s why you can’t create a strict law around this.

If you encounter someone crossing a line with you, you might tell them not to come at you that way. You don’t want to become the person who says, «I ignore all foolishness, ” then don’t respond at all—ignore, delete, block. You need to be open to God for every circumstance and every situation. One time, God may say, „I want you to say something to that person, ” while another time He may tell you to let it go. You must ask yourself where you ultimately want to end up. By the way, if someone confronts you wrongly, try to respond on the same platform from which they approached you. In other words, if someone emails you something offensive, always respond with the awareness that the person who emailed you is not the only one who will see your response. They may have blind-copied 200 people, so be mindful of how you respond.