Prov. 16:24 states – “GRACIOUS WORDS are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Also Col. 4:6 says – “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
Proverbs 21:23 says – “Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.” (Calamity means troubles or disaster.) Our words can either break down or build up those we speak to. The tongue has the potential to either bring immense harm or deep healing. Proverbs 18:21 reminds us that ”death and life are in the power of the tongue.”
“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” (Prov. 12:25) AND “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” (Prov. 25:11)
In James 3:5-6, the tongue is compared to a small fire that can burn down a whole forest. Our tongues are often encouraged by gossip, slander, and quick-tempered reactions.
Yet a healing tongue promotes blessings. Proverbs 12:18 states, ”The tongue of the wise promotes health.” Healing words bring physical, mental, and emotional relief to the listener. Proverbs 15:4 highlights that a wholesome, or healing tongue is a tree of life, teaching grace.
Our words are a direct reflection of the condition of our hearts. Jesus said in Luke 6:45, ”For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Proverbs 4:23 urges us to ”keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” We need to dedicate our minds, thoughts, and lips to the Lord daily, inviting Him to purify our intentions.
Moving from negative speech to a healing tongue needs deliberate, daily habits, so we need to “Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” (James 1:19)
Our mouths can guide the direction of our lives. Ephesians 4:29 reminds us – “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Words can hurt or words can heal. Hasty, careless words can pierce like swords leaving lifelong scars. Lovely, encouraging words are like good medicine that can make a person well. Wholesome, helpful words bring comfort, love, joy, peace and blessings to others.
Even if we need to reprimand someone, we can still use our tongue to be kind and gracious. We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. A small rudder makes a ship turn wherever the pilot chooses it to go. Just so, our little tongue can be used to bring comfort and edification to others, to restore wounds or bring health.
As Believers, we must learn to wisely control our tongues to bring helpful, edifying, honest and healing communication. Good counsel includes knowing the person we are talking to. Honest and healing words come from those who have learnt to look at others through the eyes of Jesus. Jesus’ words were careful, wise and blessed, for example, He said in John 14:1 – ”Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me.” And in John 14:27 He added -”Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
”Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Jesus in Matt. 11:28)
Father God Himself encouraged his people in Deuteronomy 31:8 – “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
Blessed, most holy and wonderful Father God, help me to reflect Your love in my words and in my actions. I believe that true transformation begins when I surrender my thoughts, hearts and words to Thee, to promote healing, joy and encouragement. Please “Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” (Psalm 141:3) Dear Jesus, You were so careful with your words, whether You reprimanded or blessed others. Please help me to imitate You. I need You every moment of every day. Amen
Myrtle Turunen