Manna bible verse

Dealing with Conflict

Let’s look at Proverbs 25:15-24 (ESV).

15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded,
    and a soft tongue will break a bone.
16  If you have found honey, eat only enough for you,
    lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.
17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house,
    lest he have his fill of you and hate you.
18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor
    is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19 Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble
    is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.
20 Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart
    is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day,
    and like vinegar on soda.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat,
    and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,
22 for you will heap burning coals on his head,
    and the Lord will reward you.
23 The north wind brings forth rain,
    and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.
24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop
    than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

Now, analyze these verses step by step.

Employers and government officials may not take kindly to impolite criticism (Proverbs 14:35; 20:2). It's wiser to be patient and choose the right words at the right time (Proverbs 15:23). The Hebrew phrase for "patience" is ō'rek ap'payim, which means "length of anger" and suggests holding back frustration before reacting. Instead of rushing into confrontation, exercising patience can help persuade those in authority to see things from your perspective.

When it says, “A tongue can break bones," it's a powerful way of saying that gentle words can achieve great things. Well-timed and well-chosen words can convince a leader to take on a challenging task.