Paul wrote that our words should “impart grace to the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29). Long before Paul, Solomon wrote many proverbs about the power of words.
Like a honeycomb. “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones” (Proverbs 16:24). Honey was one of the sweetest foods people had long ago. Pleasant words are sweet like that.
Good for the inside. Pleasant words bring “sweetness to the soul.” They help a person’s heart.
Good for the body. They also bring “health to the bones.” Good words can help a whole person feel strong again.
The heart teaches the mouth. “The heart of the wise teaches his mouth” (16:23). Words come from the heart. When God changes our hearts, He changes our words too.
Sweet lips. “Sweetness of the lips increases learning” (16:21). People listen and learn better when we speak kindly.
Kind and true. Pleasant words are not always soft or easy. Sometimes a kind word is a true warning given gently. What makes words pleasant is love.
Honey on a hard day. Think of a friend who lost a game, got a bad grade or feels left out. A few kind words can be like honey on a hard day.
A heavy heart. Anxiety means worry, and worry makes a heart feel heavy. “But a good word makes it glad” (Proverbs 12:25). One good word can cheer up a worried friend.
The best words. The kindest words ever spoken are God’s good news. Every person has sinned, but Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again. Everyone who trusts Him is forgiven.
Words from a new heart. When Jesus lives in us, His Spirit helps us speak like Him.
Kind words at home. Our words matter most with the people we see every day: brothers, sisters, parents and friends.
What this means for you. Think of someone who looks worried or sad. Give them one good word this week.
Paul wanted every word to “impart grace to the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29). Solomon’s proverbs also teach that the right word at the right time is a treasure.
Apples of gold. “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver” (Proverbs 25:11). Picture golden fruit in a beautiful silver bowl. A word spoken at the right time is that lovely.
The right time. Fitly spoken means said in the right way at the right moment. Sometimes the best word is cheerful, sometimes it is gentle, and sometimes it is saying you are sorry.
A cut or a cure. “There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health” (Proverbs 12:18). Careless words can hurt like a cut. Wise words help a hurt heal.
Words that stay. Careless words can stay with a person for a long time. That is why it matters to stop and think before we speak.
Words like medicine. Saying you are sorry, telling a friend the truth gently, or cheering someone up can help a hurt heal.
Patient words. “By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded” (25:15). Forbearance means patience. Being patient and calm can change a hard situation.
Gentle and strong. “A gentle tongue breaks a bone” (25:15). That means gentle words can win over even a stubborn person.
Good news from far away. “As cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a far country” (25:25). Think of a cold drink on a hot, tiring day.
The best good news. The best news ever came from heaven. Every person has sinned, but Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again. Everyone who trusts Him is forgiven.
Gracious words. When Jesus spoke in His hometown, the people “marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth” (Luke 4:22). Jesus’ words were full of grace.
Good news to share. We can carry good news too. When we tell a friend about Jesus, our words can be like cold water to a tired heart.
What this means for you. Before you speak, ask God to help you say the right word at the right time.
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Read each section and answer the questions correctly.