A WAR OF WORDS - All Our Daily Bread Daily Devotionals for 2026

Our Daily Bread - Wednesday, October 20, 2016
by RBC Ministries

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A WAR OF WORDS

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A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
-Proverbs 15:1

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Isaiah 59-61
2 Thessalonians 3

On July 28, 1914, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia in response to the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie. Within 90 days, other European countries had taken sides to honour their military and pursue their own ambitions. A single event escalated into World War I, one of the most destructive military conflicts of modern time.
The tragedy of war is staggering, yet our relationships and families can begin to fracture with only a few hateful words. James wrote, "See how great a forest a little fire kindles!" (James 3:5). A key to avoiding verbal conflict is found in Proverbs: "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger" (15:1).
A small comment can start a large fight. When we, by God's grace, choose not to retaliate with our words, we honour Jesus our Saviour. When He was abused and insulted, He fulfilled the prophetic words of Isaiah, "He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth" (Isaiah 53:7).
Proverbs urges us to speak the truth and seek peace through our words. "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, and a word spoken in due season, how good it is!" (15:4,23)
-David McCasland
A careless word may kindle strife,
A cruel word may wreck a life;
A timely word may lessen stress,
A loving word may heal and bless. - Anon.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.

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