Pleasant Words
“Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.” (Proverb 16:24)
We live in a time when entire television shows are built on the hope that people will be caustic, unkind, mean-spirited, catty, hurtful and profane.
How many conversations start with the term, “Did you hear what ___________ (some glib verbal sadist) said to _____________ (the victim of the minute) last night on _____________ (some train wreck of a show)?”
As thrilling and entertaining as they are to the flesh of many people, the words thrown are UNpleasant. Such are tongues in the mouths of people not yielded to Jesus. That is what James is discussing in this famous passage of the Bible:
“Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And THE TONGUE IS A FIRE, A WORLD OF INIQUITY. THE TONGUE is so set among our members that it DEFILES THE WHOLE BODY, and SETS ON FIRE THE COURSE OF NATURE; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame THE TONGUE. It IS AN UNRULY EVIL, FULL OF DEADLY POISON.” (James 3:5-8)
Think about it. How many hurtful divisions between people who were important in your life started with someone saying something unkind?
Almost all do.
And saying unkind, caustic, mean-spirited, catty, hurtful and profane things is encouraged and championed in our culture today.
The devil is SO pleased.
This is why a person, yielded to God (Who literally IS love), can spread the influence of heaven (the actual definition of the term “Kingdom of God”) simply by speaking pleasant words.
[Actions that match are essential too because “faith without works is useless”! (James 2:20)]
“Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.” (Proverb 16:24)
Let’s look at that verse and insert the definitions of the Hebrew words used by the Holy Spirit:
“Saying things that are agreeable, delightful, suitable, splendid or graceful are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul….to the part of a person that thinks thoughts, feels emotions and makes his decisions and it is health….healing and deliverance from bad thing to the bones…to physical life” (Proverb 16:24)
In a world filled with people who instinctively help the devil bring disease to the souls and bodies of people…God is calling us to weigh our words and speak pleasant ones to the people HE arranges will be around us.
This is in such contrast to the way of the world and is a strategic move on the Father’s behalf to advance His Kingdom through us and ANYONE can do this.
May this be true of all of us who call ourselves Christians:
"The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how TO SPEAK A WORD IN SEASON TO HIM WHO IS WEARY. He awakens me morning by morning, He awakens my ear to hear as the learned.” (Isaiah 50:4)
Let’s commit to listening to Him, learning from Him, following Him, and exemplifying Him – EVERY DAY.
“Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.” (Proverb 16:24)
Pastor Mike McInerney
Decatur, TX
© January 16, 2019
For use with permission