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April | April 18, 2019
Thursday, April 18, 2019
There is power in words, power to be constructive or destructive. Thinking of power we often conjure up a picture of speaking forcefully. The most powerful words, however, are often kind, gentle, pleasant, gracious and soft spoken. Proverbs 12:25 explains, “An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.” Even when we’re confronted by anger, “A gentle answer turns away wrath” (15:1).
The tongue is like a tree of life that brings healing (15:4). When you’ve broken down barriers, “Pleasant words promote instruction (or make a man persuasive)” (16:21). The New Living Bible puts it this way, “The wise are known for their understanding, and instruction is appreciated if it’s well presented.” To summarize, Proverbs 16:24 declares, “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” That is, words used wisely, graciously, with kindness and gentleness, often accomplish more than instruction presented forcefully.
I like Proverbs 25:11-15 in the Message: “The right word at the right time is like custom-made jewelry. And a wise friend’s timely reprimand is like a gold ring slipped on your finger…Patient persistence pierces through indifference; gentle speech breaks down rigid defenses.”
Right words spoken at the right time in the right way are powerful!
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