Reflections

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

This past weekend a man started shooting at a shopping center where Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was meeting her constituents.  The man killed six people and wounded 14 including the congresswoman.  It is a tragedy and many are questioning the political rhetoric that has been taking place in the media and during the political campaigns.  This past year we have heard a lot of negative speech.  Some of the rhetoric has been full of hate.  So many are questioning if this type of speech led to this man’s shooting spree and targeting Congresswoman Giffords?  We may never know.

The bible says that a harsh word stirs up anger.  So we have to take responsibility that what we say does effect others.  Our words have consequences and can affect others.  So politicians and the media have to realize their negative speech is taken to heart by many and can stir up anger in people.

Since the shooting many in politics and the media have said that the political rhetoric needs to be toned down.  It is time to really watch what is said and know that it can cause others to do crazy things like go on a shooting spree.

We can disagree but we do not need to use negative words or hate to attack one another or tear each other down.  A gentle answer can also have a profound effect on a person; a gentle word can actually cause a person to turn away from their anger.  As Christians we should always look to have a gentle answer for someone, even an angry person.