Biblical Lessons to Learn De-Escalating Skills

You’ll always prevail against a threat if you’re able to avoid the threat. Proper execution of situational awareness positions you to be aware of warning signs in advance of perilous occurrences, which in turn allows you to maintain enough physical distance as much as possible to stay in control of the outcomes. In his ancient book, The Art of War, late 6th century BC Chinese general, military strategist, writer, and philosopher Sun Tzu wrote, “The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.”

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Practicing situational awareness applies to the verbal confrontations you might face as much as to the physical surroundings you encounter every day. The oral skill-set required to keep a heated argument from becoming a deadly altercation is known as de-escalation. It involves knowing what to say and not say, when to say it, and how to say it. That means the coordinated use of our brains and tongues can be just as important in our self-defense strategy as performing defensive shooting drills at the range. An excellent article on the subject is “The Truth About De-Escalation” by John Bostain, president of Command Presence Training, published in Michigan Police Chiefs.

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The world’s most influential book, the Bible, has plenty to say about the words that come out of our mouths. Consider the following Scripture verses as a framework to help you in building your de-escalation mindset.

  ▶  Death and life are in the power of the tongue…. Proverbs 18:21

  ▶  Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. James 1:19

  ▶  Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him. Proverbs 29:20

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Gentle Response De-Escalation Training for Church Security Teams ]

  ▶  Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Proverbs 17:27

  ▶  Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. Proverbs 13:3

[ Read the SemperVerus article, on Concealed Carry Daily Prayer ]

  ▶  A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

  ▶  A tongue that calms is like a tree of life. But a tongue that tells lies produces a broken spirit. Proverbs 15:4

  ▶  Like apples of gold in settings of silver, so is a word skillfully spoken. Proverbs 25:11

  ▶  In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15

  ▶  Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29

  ▶  Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. Ephesians 5:4

  ▶  But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Colossians 3:8

  ▶  Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Colossians 4:6

  ▶  The man of few words and settled mind is wise; therefore, even a fool is thought to be wise when he is silent. It pays him to keep his mouth shut. Proverbs 17:28

  ▶  The tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do. A great forest can be set on fire by one tiny spark. James 3:5

  ▶  Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut. Proverbs 10:19

  ▶  Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing. Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. Proverbs 12:18

  ▶  Worry makes the heart heavy. But a kind word cheers it up. Proverbs 12:25

  ▶  Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. Proverbs 16:24

  ▶  Steer clear of foolish discussions that lead people into the sin of anger with each other. 2 Timothy 2:16

  ▶  Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Psalm 34:13

  ▶  The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice. Psalm 37:30

  ▶  Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. Ephesians 5:4

  ▶  You must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you. Matthew 12:36-37

  ▶  Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed. 1 Samuel 2:3

  ▶  LORD, help me control my tongue; help me be careful about what I say. Psalm 141:3

  ▶  Those who are careful about what they say keep themselves out of trouble. Proverbs 21:23

  ▶  Good people bring good things out of the good they stored in their hearts. But evil people bring evil things out of the evil they stored in their hearts. People speak the things that are in their hearts. Luke 6:45

  ▶  Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14

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