April 24, 2009

Pleasant Words

Written by Boyd Bailey

Pleasant Words… “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Proverbs 16:24

Pleasant words promote instruction and encourage people in the right direction. Like honey, these verbal morsels are sweet and satisfying to the soul. If you want to be attractive and influence others, use honey instead of harshness. Pleasant words please the Lord and bring out the best in hungry hearts. A heart full of the Holy Spirit has the lovely language of the Lord at their disposal. Indeed, pleasant words are wrapped in prayer.

As you seek the Lord in prayer, He will show you what to say. Speech, seasoned by God’s grace, offers eternal life and earthly energy. It’s when we feed on the word of God that our words take on strength and significance, “They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward” (Psalm 19:10-11).

Pleasant words provide direction and accountability. They create concrete conversations that are clear and compelling. Caring communicators do not speak at surface levels without taking a risk to probe deeper and really make sure the listener understands. Use questions to clarify. Do not assume their answers are an accurate indicator of their understanding. Pleasant words are patient and take the time to confirm comprehension.

Lastly, sin disjoints our feelings and disconnects our faith; we need realignment and reconnection. Pleasant words resets broken bones of the soul and brings healing to the heart. If I read a transcript from my daily conversations would I discover not only pleasant but profitable words? Were my words healing or hurtful? “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 2:3).

Related Readings: Deuteronomy 32:2; Psalm 119:103; Jeremiah 15:16; Titus 2:7-8

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