Your Words Make a Difference

The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. (Proverbs 16:23-24)

Proverbs 16:23-24 says those who are wise teach their mouth.

What does it mean if something needs to be taught? It doesn’t have the knowledge, insight, and experience to think otherwise. Your mouth will not automatically speak faith, appreciation, and or hope. Without teaching your mouth, it will automatically complain, talk about the negative, and doubt. It must be trained to speak right.

When you train your mouth, Proverbs 16:24 says that your words will be like a honeycomb. Not only are they sweet, but they also bring health and strength.

It’s very important for married people to understand this truth. Both husband and wife need to have words that are edifying and encouraging sown into them.

A woman needs to hear that she is desired, safe, and loved from her husband. This helps her feel secure and protected by a man.

However, many wives fail to realize how much a man needs to be poured into by words every single day. He wants to feel appreciated and seen. Every young man wants those in their life to tell them they are good enough. They are constantly searching for this to be poured into them. In my own life, I know firsthand how much the words of my wife affect me and her positive words change me for the better.

If you do not purposely pour encouraging words into your husband or wife, someone else will. That is how affairs start.

Practical Application

Your words should bring health, faith, and life to those around you. What are the words you are known for speaking? Decide to be known as someone who speaks words of faith. Evaluate your speech today and adjust your words to match your beliefs.

Proverbs 12:18; Proverbs 15:23

Harnessing the Power of Words

The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross. (Proverbs 26:22-23)

Words are carriers. By your words, you can carry heavenly things, such as faith, love, joy, and peace. Your words can also carry things that come from hell like death in relationships, debt in finances, and destruction of relationships.

As Christians, we have a profound responsibility to pay attention to the words we say because they affect everyone who hears them. Personally, I have experienced both the blessing and the harm that words can bring. People have hurt me deeply, but others they have helped me tremendously through the words they have said.

In fact, Proverbs says that someone with burning lips (meaning they are always talking and can’t keep anything inside of them) coupled together with a wicked heart (they want wrong to happen to others) is just like a potsherd covered with silver dross. A potsherd is a broken piece of pottery and dross is the worthless material that is removed when refining silver.

That Scripture means that both the piece and what covers the piece is worthless. It is an illustration of someone whose heart is evil and whose words are plentiful but poisonous.

Avoid talebearers and seek to surround yourself with people who speak encouraging and positive words that agree with God’s Word.

Practical Application

Who is around you today that you can encourage? Into whom can you sow words of faith? Always remember the importance of speaking words that build up rather than tear down, that heal rather than harm.

Proverbs 10:18; Ezekiel 33:31

Extinguishing Strife

Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. (Proverbs 26:20-21)

Fire can be beneficial and helpful, but a fire can also be disastrous and destructive. Proverbs 26:20-21 is talking about the latter. The presence of gossip and a talebearer fuels and fans the flames of contention and strife. The opposite is also true. The absence of gossip and slander quenches the flames of discord. Getting people who stir up strife out of your life will bring about peace and harmony.

As believers, we need to cultivate discernment and wisdom in who we allow in our lives and how we talk with others. That means purposely refraining from engaging in gossip or spreading harmful rumors. Instead, let us be agents of peace, seeking to build up rather than tear down through our words and actions.

I have witnessed firsthand the destructive power of gossip and slander in fueling strife among friends, family, and colleagues. I have also experienced the power of those who decide to speak words of faith, peace, and love.

God will put you in the middle of situations that are getting heated, and the Holy Spirit will speak to you to either get out of the situation, to distance yourself from someone who keeps making fires, or to speak faith or peace into a situation to deescalate what is happening.

You have power in your speech, but so do others. That’s why it is vital to limit who you allow to be close to you.

Practical Application

Pay close attention to the words of those around you. Are most of their words complaints, gossip, and hate-filled words? If so, you need to ask the Holy Spirit if He would have you say something to help them change or should you distance yourself so you won’t get burned.

Proverbs 16:28; Proverbs 22:10