Proverbs 16:24 English Standard Version
24 Gracious words are like a honeycomb,
sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
It’s true.
People are drawn to those who speak to them and about them kindly.
Speaking to others in a kind manner is a characteristic that we don’t come in contact with today like we use to.
IT TAKES VERY LITTLE COURAGE TO CLICK SEND.
In the past when anyone wanted to speak poorly about someone, they did it behind their back (still a terrible thing to do) but today, in this age of the smart phone and the internet, people get to “hide behind” their computer screens and phones and we get a whole lot more wild, bold with how we respond to others.
You don’t even have to share your name.
You can send something “anonymously” and hide your computers address.
If one was inclined, they can just be blatantly mean and remain anonymous.
SWEETNESS TO THE SOUL
I think today, more than ever before, it’s incredibly refreshing to hear kind and gracious words – such rare words have a huge impact on our mind and our body.
Like the verse says in Proverbs 16:24
Proverbs 16:24 King James Version
24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
I know how much my soul grieves, I know that I have felt sick to my stomach for days when someone has been downright mean toward me and I have felt a renewed sense of joy and energy when I hear true encouragement and praise.
Words affect our entire being. And they can remain a part of our souls makeup for the rest of our lives. I can remember as a child things I was told, both good and bad, and even today I really have to battle all the lies to embrace the truth.
I WANT TO BE REMEMBERED AS KIND AND LOVING
As one who is getting more mature in their years, if I leave one Kingdom legacy, I believe I would want it to be that I left others feeling good about themselves.
Not because I lied to to be politically correct, to over inflate their egos, to butter them up or with man’s wisdom made things up to baby them into feeling good.
But because I truly found the good in someone and left them feeling like I saw that piece of them and treated them in a way that they felt loved and respected.
Even when I have to share something negative, I want to turn to God, I want to strive to do it in a way that is gracious and kind – I want to turn them onto God.
There really are ways to give constructive criticism, to not be so blunt and so disrespectful, both in our every day lives and our social media lives. There are real people on the other side of that screen, who feel hurt, pain, joy, and love.
CHOOSE TO SPEAK LIFE
We each have the power to speak life and/or death into those around us.
We each can make a person feel either incredibly small or incredibly loved.
We need to be more careful with our words.
With our friends, with strangers, and for sure with our families- the ones who sometimes get the brunt of our frustrations.
So, in these days of 2024, stand out from the crowd – please have the courage to be kind – have some courage to speak life into those we come into contact with.
CULTIVATING A HONEYCOMB OF GRACIOUS WORDS
Proverbs 16:24 Amplified Bible
24
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
Sweet and delightful to the soul and healing to the body.
What words are you putting out into the world?
Are we choosing our words thoughtfully, are we taking every opportunity to be Kingdom builders, Kingdom edifiers, speaking to encourage and uplift others?
our words “adding honey” sweetening the lives of those who hear, read them?
Or, are we following the Social Media trend to be anonymous, speak your mind, speak truth to set someone straight, or put another in his or her rightful place?
Maybe you try to be encouraging but others just push your buttons to the point where you feel like you have to say something, anything or you’ll simply burst!
It’s so easy in heated moments of conflict to get caught up in the latest political, social, fashion, or celebrity debate, say things you’ll wish later you hadn’t said.
So if you and/or I have slipped up in our words a few times, we are not alone.
James 3:2 describes how, “We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.”
Still, Scripture reminds that,
“Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless” (James 1:26).
Maybe we have been surprised by things we have heard or have read by other Christians and perhaps even our own words at times have caught us off guard?
Proverbs 13:3 gives incentive for choosing to be careful with your words, describing the difference it can make in your life to do so, stating,
“Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.”
If you struggle with speaking careless words, ask God to, “Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3).
As well, Psalm 34:13 urges to
“Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.”
When you do, Proverbs 12:14 encourages that from the fruit of your lips you will be filled with good things.
Proverbs 12:14Easy-to-Read Version
14 People get good things for the words they say, and they are rewarded for the work they do.
Likewise, Proverbs 16:23 describes how, “The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction.”
Speak truth, Speak of God, Speak Jesus, Speak Holy Spirit, ask God to direct your speech so that your words are helping to build up the faith of those around you.
As Colossians 3:16 urges, “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”
What is the object lesson of Proverbs 16 24?
As Proverbs 16:24 tells us, pleasant words are like a honeycomb, bringing sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.
We want to be known for the fruit of our gentleness and for the fruit of our compassion and be using our words to uplift and encourage those around us.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Psalm 34:1-10 The Message
34 I bless God every chance I get;
my lungs expand with his praise.
2 I live and breathe God;
if things aren’t going well, hear this and be happy:
3 Join me in spreading the news;
together let’s get the word out.
4 God met me more than halfway,
he freed me from my anxious fears.
5 Look at him; give him your warmest smile.
Never hide your feelings from him.
6 When I was desperate, I called out,
and God got me out of a tight spot.
7 God’s angel sets up a circle
of protection around us while we pray.
8 Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—
how good God is.
Blessed are you who run to him.
9 Worship God if you want the best;
worship opens doors to all his goodness.
10 Young lions on the prowl get hungry,
but God-seekers are full of God.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
Loving God, Living God, Loving Hope, Living Hope, Loving Living Life His Way! "Many things are possible for the person who has hope. Even more is possible for the person who has faith. And still more is possible for the person who knows how to love. But everything is possible for the person who practices all three virtues." - Brother Lawrence (1605-1691), Practicing the Presence of God (1692). 