BE KIND AND PLEASANT …..  

I remember when I was young and arguing with my brothers, and our words would begin to be harsh, my mom would say, “honey catches more flies than vinegar.” We would laugh and say how silly it sounded. However, we understood that honey tastes sweet and vinegar more sour and bitter. As you can probably guess, the true meaning has to do with the power our words – either to be sweet or harsh. No one likes to be spoken to with harsh words; and even a rebuke can be easier to receive when spoken with a softer tone.

Years later while studying the Bible, I came across a similar meaning phrase in Proverbs 16:24, “Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.” Other Bible translations use the words kind or gracious instead of pleasant.  Even the world knows that words of affirmation go a long way to encourage another person.

But I got to wonder about the usage of as a “honeycomb” so I looked up information to get a better understanding. The honeycomb contains collagen (structural protein), calcium, and other minerals which help to build strong bones in our natural body.

Our words are like a honeycomb structure meshing together to help us grow up emotionally and intelligently, and yes, spiritually as well. In the natural our words carry encouragement which are sweet to our soul; rebuke and discipline that’s good for our emotions, and wisdom that helps us to make intelligent decisions.  When we go further into this study, we realize that when our words agree with God’s Word, our spoken words have power to place us in a position to receive all the blessings of God into our lives.

We see that our words carry death and life within them. Proverbs 18:21 says tongue instead of words, but it is our tongue that speaks our words. Our words give affirmation of our faith or doubt in God.

Just as a side-note, in a conversation that is about to produce an argument, James 1:19-20 has a wonderful solution: “be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man (or woman) works not the righteousness of God.”

I challenge you to decide to be a blessing with your words by speaking pleasant words, kind words, gracious words, with soften tones which affirm the love of God within you.