Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
Proverbs 16:24 (KJV).

REFLECT:
What a good feeling we get when we receive positive encouragement. Such words have a way of strengthening our resolve. They give us the courage and hope to keep going on in life no matter the situations we face. This is because they come out as being kind and gentle.

On the other hand, negative forms of encouragement tear down our personality. They are insensitive, unkind, and very hurtful words. They do the opposite of what kind and positive words do.

It is understood that there will be times that may require our receiving certain kinds of discipline for bad behavior or actions, and words may be used to convey such discipline or punishment. However, such words should never be spoken to demean, dehumanize, or break the person’s spirit.

As believers, we are not called to use words as weapons to inflict emotional damage and psychological trauma on our fellow man all in the name of discipline and freedom of speech.

What we must try to do is to employ the fruits of gentleness, love, humility, patience, and self-control when in an exchange of words in any discussion. Yes, we must be sincere and truthful, but not brutal or cruel. We should remember that it is the Holy Spirit whose job it is to transform not ours.

Of course, we can get angry over an issue, but, as we are advised in Ephesians 4:26, in our anger we must not sin, and we must make sure that our anger is not prolonged. Also, we know how unsupportive our world can be, making it quite difficult for people to use their words in a decent and palatable manner. However, as children of God, this is a battle we have to work hard daily to overcome. We must fight the good fight of words.

So, how do we fight the good fight of words? The kind that our Bible verse for today enjoins us to employ. Pleasant words of encouragement are like a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. Impart words that are meant to give life, sustain, and build up others; not kill, deplete or tear them down.

Our solution is the Holy Spirit. As children of God who claim to have a relationship with God in Christ Jesus, we must never leave the Holy Spirit out of the equation. This is because the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to see that we are effectively groomed for good works, of which our speech and actions are areas of divine concern.

It is through our words and actions that God will be able to touch a lost and dying world. It is, for this reason, that the Word and message of Christ is called the Good news. This is because the words that convey this Good news are pleasant, words of encouragement, words of hope, and words of life.

As Christians, when we engage in words, we must be particularly careful and aware of how we use them knowing that as ambassadors of the Good News of Christ, we will be held accountable for any misuse.

Ebimobo W. Obasi

PLEASE PRAY ALONG:

A Prayer for Opportunities to Speak Kindly.

FATHER GOD, thank You for Your kindness and gentleness towards me. You always speak pleasant words to encourage me and bring me closer to You. Please give me opportunities to speak words that encourage and bring healing to others. Let my love for You inspire me to offer kind words to others. In JESUS MIGHTY NAME AMEN!