Pleasant words are a honeycomb

Sweet as Honey by Mary Loudermilk

“Pleasant words are a honeycomb: sweet to the taste and health to the body” (Proverbs 16:24).

Words can hurt, and words can also heal. It is so uncomfortable to be around someone spewing harsh words to another. I cringe when I’m in a public place and hear hateful things being said. Have you ever felt like stepping up and offering some unsolicited advice? Once, before I even realized what I was doing, I actually did speak up to a stranger belittling her spouse publicly. Fortunately, she didn’t turn on me.

There’s an old saying—one your mother probably told you many times—that says, “If you can’t say anything nice about someone, then don’t say anything at all.” It’s good advice, but is there a reason we can’t always say something positive? Not really. The story is told of the sweet little lady who always had a positive comment to make regardless of the one being discussed. Deciding they could trick her into saying something negative, someone asked, “What do you think about the devil?” She immediately replied, “Well, he certainly is a busy fellow.”

The world will be much nicer for all of us if we choose to speak uplifting words instead of words that hurt and tear down. Proverbs 18:21 tells us, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” I don’t want to kill someone with the things I say to them. I may not cause a physical death, but I can kill their spirit, their self-confidence, their ambition, and even their hope. Careless words destroy. I want to speak words that bring health and wholeness to others.

Think about some things you hear in conversations around you. How many are positive? How many are negative or even destructive? As a little exercise, jot down comments you hear (or perhaps even say) during any given day. You may hear things like this:

Why can’t you ever do anything right?
You are never going to amount to anything.
I can’t believe how (stupid, clumsy, ugly, lazy, uncaring) you are.
Why can’t you be more like (fill in the name)?
You are the most (aggravating, obnoxious, thoughtless, annoying) person I know!

Or would you rather hear statements like these?

You have such a great attitude.
You always take time to listen.
You are so (competent, helpful, loving, dependable, bright).
Your smile brightens my day.
I see Jesus in you.

Today is the perfect time for all of us to work on developing a new vocabulary—one filled with positive, affirming words that will build up and bring health to those around us.

( Info from: Pure Ministry Newsletter – UPCI Ladies Ministries – ladiesconnections-upci.org@shared1.ccsend.com )