“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Prov. 15:1 NIV)

From Harshness to Gentleness

Charles Colson, former White House counsel and President Nixon’s infamous “hatchet man,” served time in a federal prison because of his role in the Watergate scandal. But while in prison, Colson encountered Christ—and his life was completely transformed. In his best-selling memoir Born Again, he wrote:

“I found myself increasingly drawn to the idea that God had put me in prison for a purpose and that I should do something for those I had left behind.”

He went on to found Prison Fellowship, a ministry that continues to serve incarcerated men and women to this day. The contrast between the “before” and “after” versions of Chuck Colson is striking. Before Christ: cold, mean-spirited, argumentative, and ruthless. After Christ: loving, kind, and gentle. He became a living testimony of how God can transform a life.

We see this same radical change in the Bible through the life of Saul, a violent persecutor of Christians who became the Apostle Paul, a passionate defender of the faith (see Acts 9:1–19; Acts 22:6–21; Acts 26:12–18).

Instruct with Gentleness

We live in a world filled with opposition to truth—in religion, politics, social media, and entertainment. When confronted with error or hostility, our instinct may be to argue or retaliate. But that approach rarely leads to lasting change and is not what Scripture teaches. Instead, we are called to respond with gentleness, truth, and prayer:

“Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.” (2 Tim. 2:25–26 NLT)

Ask for God's Wisdom Before Responding

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.” (James 3:17 NASB)

Walk in Humility and Gentleness

“…with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love. Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called.” (Eph. 4:1–2 NASB)

Therefore

Let your gentleness be visible to everyone. The Lord is near—and when we reflect His character, even in the face of opposition, hearts can be softened and lives can be changed.

When you’re tempted to respond in frustration or defensiveness, pause and pray. Ask God for the wisdom and gentleness that come from above. Your calm and Christlike response might be the very thing God uses to break down spiritual strongholds in someone’s heart.

“Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.” (Phil. 4:5 NASB)