Tag Archives: Proverbs 16:24

Pleasant Words

Temperance 11/12/2019

When you hear the words, you are refreshed. Invigorated. They stir your soul like a pat on the back or a gentle hand helping you up. It is a cup of hot soup on a cold winter’s day. The heat goes down to your core and warms your very being. We all yearn to hear pleasant words. They are the words that confirm your choices and justify your actions.

Think of that dog with nothing but unconditional love in his heart. Pleasant words and that tail will show it. But if you speak out in anger, that poor beast will shrink away from you, put its tail between its legs, and lower its head.

We want to hear the kind words. They are powerful and have more effectiveness than any venom a person can spew. And as bad as we all want to hear it, we can be the ones speaking them.

Imagine they that struggle. Why beat them down when you can lift them back up? Or the bitter. You could return their bitterness, but what good would that do? Return their words with sweetness and just maybe the harshness of their words will dissipate. Regardless of the outcome, you will be blameless if you return their hatred with love.

To hold your tongue when you are being attacked with words takes great discipline. To not return anger with anger takes humility. And out of love and charity, we can freely give kind words, words that cost us nothing, to those who desperately need it. It might be the difference in their lives. It might bring them the health they need to keep going.

Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. –Proverbs 16:24

Words That Nourish

Take a moment and think about the words you use. Do you wish to inspire others to become greater than they are? Do you wish to be the motivating force that fuels this generation to action?

How powerful is your dialogue? What words strike to the core of your audience, leaving them with a lasting impression? Will your words be profound, or will they be profane?

Often one chooses the profane. It is radical and cutting edge. Fifty years ago, it was looked down upon, but now it is cool. These words are catalysts that cause an immediate reaction. They are not very creative. There is not a whole lot of effort required to use them. Do you have to think long and hard to ensure the word’s correct placement?

Consider the word, fuck. What is it?

  • Fornication Under Consent of King
  • An English Archer’s salute to the French with the middle finger saying, “I can still pluck you.”
  • A noun, a verb, an adverb, an adjective, or any other type of word when the user can’t think of a better word to use. Can it really be all those things, a modifier for all occasions?

Will you rob a strong word’s power through overuse?

Don’t get me wrong. I have let that bomb fly from my mouth too many times. When it has flown, it has the mark. I said it with intent and out of anger. With malice, I chose to cut my intended victim. Every time it came out, it was followed by regret. Not because I am righteous, high and mighty, or a goody two-shoes. No. I was lacking discipline.

I was being LAZY!

My vocabulary is strong enough that I could have picked a more suitable word. Instead, I chose to go with crass. I didn’t want to stop and take the time to choose another. I didn’t want to use more brainpower than necessary.

Finding the profound word takes effort. It takes a little more thought, more time, than it does to find the profane word. But what would you rather be, profound or profane?

Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. -Proverbs 16:24

Consider this proverb. It is not flattery. It is nourishment. It is using words that strengthen and edify the recipients. Pleasant words are not used out of anger. They are not rash, lazy, or weak. They hit their intended mark and leaves the hearer better off than before.