GOOD AND KIND WORDS

08 MAY 2021

According to today's Scripture, anxiety can weigh a man down. In other words, anxiety brings depression but a life-giving word of kindness and encouragement can do wonders to restore joy to the heart. This implies that anxiety or worry is a weight. What did the Bible say about weight? Let us also lay aside every weight (see Hebrews 12:1 ESV). Courteously, good and kind words can strip off every weight of anxiety and worry in a man's heart.

Reference: Proverbs 12:25 English Standard Version (ESV) "Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad."

What if you aren't used to dealing nicely with others when it comes to words? You can change that attitude by learning to sow good and kind words into people's lives. You can also correct and rebuke in love, when necessary. Did you know that a nice and simple compliment can cheer someone up and boost their level of performance in any area of life? A genuine compliment is like a sweet, pleasing aroma that can last long even days and months after its been uttered. It can make a continuous notable influence upon the heart of any man.

It's a perfect and wise thing to remind people of how great they've been doing and the impact of their capabilities, expertise and accomplishments. Till today, I still remember the gracious words a mentor spoke in my hearing for quite a long time before a particular interview. Those kind words energised, motivated and propelled me to do extremely well during the interview. In fact, they were like ring tones sending inspiring notifications across the chambers of my mind. Job 33:8 (NASB 1995) says, "Surely you have spoken in my hearing, And I have heard the sound of your words."

Every man is actively vibrant and productive to the extent of the worth of words they receive. Therefore, its very important that you become cautiously conscious of the words you hear and accept, because even the concept of faith comes by hearing. No wonder Proverbs 4:23 says, "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life" (ESV). Then the next verse says, "Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech"(verse 24, NLT). Did you know that bad, evil and harsh words can create a history of depression and concerns overtime, which may lead to suicidal thoughts and even encourage suicidal behaviour? That's how powerful our words can actually influence others (see Proverbs 18:21).

Likewise, good and kind words are effectual in a positive direction. They are living and active because they remain ineradicable and also make an indelible impression in the hearers' mind, even after the speaker is long gone. Moreover, the words of a born again Christian are not ordinary. They are words quickened by the Holy Spirit, which means that they have dynamic power to impart grace, create positive change and minister life to the hearers. Jesus also said, "The words I have spoken to you--they are full of the Spirit and life", because He understood the importance of words (John 6:63).

As a child of God, you are not really responsible for the way others talk, but God delights in the way you present your speech while talking to others. And here is the reason: Jesus Himself said, "The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak " (Matthew 12:35-36 NIV). As a new creation, you are a very good person, not an evil person. Therefore, installed in you, is the fountain of good treasures because the Holy Spirit indwells you. So God expects you to speak kindly and graciously.

Proverbs 16:24 (NLT) reads, "Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. The (NIV) translation rendered it in this manner: Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Did you notice how far our words can penetrate the human body? It penetrates even to the point of running through the body bones, joints and marrow. In other words, human bones don't just need a balanced diet, regular exercise and the right levels of diverse hormones, they also retain kind and gracious words to function healthily.

Beloved, let your speech always be full of grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person (Colossians 4:6 NASB). "Words seasoned with salt" here means that its filtered and preserved from every corrupting and vexatious influence and perverseness. The best salt or reading material that can season our words is the Word of God. Acts 20:32 reads, "So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up..." (NKJV). The term, "word of His grace" is worthy of notice. Therefore, as you constantly meditate on the Word, you're conditioned to build a lexicon of kind and gracious words because God's Word is full of grace. Shalom!

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 11:9; Proverbs 12:18; Proverbs 15:4; James 3:5; Ephesians 4:19.

Guided Prayer: Heavenly Father, you've taught me today that my words matter to you and to my world. Your Word on my lips is the vehicle that delivers the dictates of my desires as my reality, according to your will. Therefore, by meditating on your precepts, your wisdom continually floods my heart. Thus, my thoughts and words are filtered and regulated properly, such that I speak rightly and graciously and always transact wisely in all my conversations. Thank you for the consistent desire to speak life into other people's lives and for your wisdom that dwells richly in all my speeches in Jesus' Name, Amen!