"Kind Words - Honey" Proverbs 16:24
Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. Proverbs 16:24
Think of the kindest words ever spoken to you. Maybe they came from a proud father, a friend cheering you on, or your spouse lifting you up. But among all these things, nothing quite compares to the warmth and sweetness of Christ's message. No words are sweeter to the soul than Gospel words to one whom the grace of God has been revealed.
Think of the laboring honey bee, buzzing from flower to flower as the bloom, giving life and flourishing to the garden, returning to the honeycomb little by little, creating the sweetest nectar. Likewise, laborers of the Gospel are called to go into the world, bit by bit, person by person, enriching both hearts and minds with the love of God. As we are fed with greater knowledge and understanding of God’s grace, we learn to drop the pleasant words of the Gospel freely, gently, and kindly. Little by little, producing a harvest of sweet honey that heals the body. Just like the honey bee, this is done gradually with patient endurance, and when the flowers fade, the sweet honey-like words of the Lord will stand forever.
In a world where kindness is hard to find, it's easy to overlook the profound impact of speaking gently. But gentleness is not just about being soft-spoken; it's about speaking the truth in love and not keeping the greatest, most grace-filled treasure––the truth of the Gospel––to ourselves. Sharing the good news starts when we recognize that truth, spoken kindly, is the most loving gift we can offer.
Speaking God's truth isn't just about sharing rules—it is about sharing truth and offering a taste of something truly sweet—something that can heal the deepest wounds. Like honey, God's word has healing power, soothing the soul and bringing joy. When spoken with kindness, our words become like the honey bee’s labor, yielding a harvest of goodness that endures.
Speaking the word of God can be one of the most significant ways to speak gently. Just as Proverbs 16:24 speaks of Gracious words being like honey, Psalm 119:103 speaks of God’s word being as sweet as honey. And just as honey sticks to your lips, God's word sticks with you, transforming your speech and your heart. When you spend time soaking in God's love, it becomes a natural part of who you are, flowing out in your words and actions. Know the word of God so that you may “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. and do it with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15)
So, let's savor the sweetness of God's word, letting it fill us to the brim and overflow onto those around us. With gentleness and respect, let's share the hope and love we've found, making the world a little sweeter, one word at a time. When you spend time with Jesus on purpose, you will begin to talk about him “on accident.” This is the natural overflow of a life of devotion. We only have so many words in this life; let us choose to use them in a way that is sweet and healing.