Author Scott Sauls has written an incredibly timely book titled A Gentle Answer: Our “Secret Weapon” in an Age of Us Against Them. This book is published by Thomas Nelson.
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A Gentle Answer: Our “Secret Weapon” in an Age of Us Against Them
Proverbs 15:1: A gentle answer turns away wrath.
This is the premise of the book. Sauls is seeking to help Christ-followers use the secret weapon of a gentle answer to turn away wrath, leading to beneficial, edifying, loving conversations with others.
I really appreciate the tone of this book. Sauls is simply showing us what the Word of God says about the kind of character and actions that honor and please Him. It’s quite sad that a book like this even needs to be written, but unfortunately remaining sin in the believer is a reality that needs to be daily dealt with and mortified. For this reason, we should all be thankful for this book by Sauls.
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Layout and Content
A Gentle Answer is divided into two parts:
- The Gentleness Jesus has for Us
- How His Gentleness Changes Us
That makes sense, right? As one is reminded of the gentle and tender heart of Christ toward us sinners, it should indeed change us and result in a difference in the way we treat others. Part one is therefore an excellent foundation on which part two is built.
The first three chapters (which make up part 1) are powerful! As one thinks about how Jesus befriends us (as sinners), how he reforms us (as Pharisees), and how he disarms us (as cynics), they are sure to be humbled. This is an excellent chance to do some authentic self-evaluating of one’s heart before the Lord.
I think part one is what those who profess to know God need to read today! It only takes a few seconds on social media to see that Christ is not honored by many who claim to follow Him. They could use a big dose of humility and a reminder of what our Lord Jesus looks like and desires for us to look like.
Part two discusses how Jesus’ gentleness then changes us. This section discusses the following topics:
- Growing thicker skin
- Doing anger well
- Receiving criticism graciously
- Forgiving
- Blessing our own betrayers
All of these chapters are helpful, but I especially loved the chapters on growing thicker skin and receiving criticism graciously. Doing anger well is a wonderful chapter that I’m sure will challenge and encourage many people.
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Conclusion
Saul’s book is a wonderful gift to the church. He is very gracious and gentle in tone, and I think his approach is very wise and loving. At the same time, this book will challenge many people to repent of their sin and seek to honor Christ in all things. I highly recommend this book to youI Tolle lege, take up and read.
Disclaimer: My thanks to Thomas Nelson for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. The opinions expressed are my own.
Matt became a joyful follower of Jesus at the age of 21. He is very grateful to be a husband to Lindsey, and a father to four boys. He is an ordained minister (teaching elder) in the PCA. He previously served as a pastor of biblical counseling and is currently a corporate chaplain in southern Delaware. Matt received his Master of Divinity degree in Biblical Counseling from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and holds an advanced certification in biblical counseling from the Association of Biblical Counselors. In his free time, he loves playing with his boys, traveling with his wife, and reading (and buying!) books.
[…] world cannot resist, and I want every Christian to want that as well. Earlier this year I had read another book by Sauls that I was very impressed with (mainly due to his kind, charitable tone), and so I thought I would […]