Gentle Persuasion

(Proverbs 25:15 KJV)  By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

One of our best tools is “long forbearing” (forbearance NASB) (753/639).  It is also often overlooked.  As the KJV shows, this is a compound word an it means having a long face.  The problem with that understanding can come in the second part of the word.  That part of the compound is a word that is used for “anger” ten times as often as for “face”.  But think about it.  Forbearance is “long anger.”  It is anger that has a long fuse.  It is the “bears all things” of love. 

People can be “persuaded” (6601b) by passive actions and attitudes.  This is not because they are passive but because they reflect an active repression of personal revenge or animosity.  People who follow the living God are expected to be patient like He is patient.  Keep in mind that if God did not practice forbearance we would have been lightening bolted long ago.

So?  Put aside your lightening bolts.  Bite your tongue.  Put love into action.  Win your arguments because you are right and the Holy Spirit is your advocate.