A gentle answer is the correct response

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

Charles Colson, former White House council, and President Nixon's "hatchet man," served time in a federal prison camp because of his roll in the infamous Watergate scandal. While in prison he found Christ and his life was turned totally around from upside-down to right-side up. In his best-selling memoir, Born Again, Chuck 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 founded the ministry of Prison Fellowship that is still active today. When you compare the “before” version of Chuck Colson with the “after” version, you see two completely different men. The before version was cold, mean spirited, argumentative, and ruthless. The after version was loving, kind and gentle. He became a wonderful example of how God can transform a life. You can find examples of this in the Bible such as the transformation of Saul the Pharisee who became the Apostle Paul. He went from being a violent persecutor of Christians to staunch defender of the faith:  Acts 9:1-19; Acts 22:6-21; and Acts 26:12-18.

Instruct with gentleness

There are those who oppose the truth all around us, in religion, in politics, on social media postings and especially within the vast world of entertainment. When we see it the immediate temptation is to counter attack. But, that usually fails and is not what the Bible teaches. We are instructed to give gentle truthful responses and pray for them that God will change their hearts.

“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)

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