Pleasant Words

Proverbs 16:23–33
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Appropriately spoken words that encourage, soothe, or commend can be very uplifting, even to the point of helping someone feel better physically. It is a well known fact that our mental well being has a lot to do with our physical well being. If you are fortunate enough to have a … More

Tongue

A wise person is very careful about what he says because he does not want to hurt but instead he wants to help others. He does not blurt out whatever comes to his mind (v. 23). Have you ever gone to visit and encourage someone who is ill or shut in only to find that they encouraged you more than you encouraged them? They were a testimony to you of this verse. “Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones” (v. 24). A man’s appetite motivates him to work so that with his wages he can buy food (v. 26). Wealth gotten without labor is usually a very dangerous thing. It often leads men into all kinds of vices and to the place that they do not think that they need God. After man’s fall in the garden it has been part of God’s plan that he should labor for his bread with the sweat of his brow.

The words of an ungodly man who gets involved in gossip are like burning fire that pass from his lips and have the scorching malice of hell (v. 27). Gossip is no good! It causes hard feelings and division comes between friends (v. 28).The things in this passage can happen to anyone (vv. 29-30). We need to be on guard ourselves and especially warn our children that there are people with strong personalities who will lead us “into the way that is not good.” Men have conquered kingdoms who were defeated when it came to controlling their temper. A bad temper is often excused on the ground of natural infirmity, when in reality it is the evidence of pride and impatience. This suggests that having patience and a controlled temper is honored above being a soldier. In a land where safety depended on strength and skill in warfare, this statement may seem unusual. Yet this verse says that conquering oneself is of greater virtue than conquering a city (v. 32). We make our own decisions, but the Lord alone determines what happens (v. 33).

Application

I need to make a list of things I can do to make others happy. One of these items needs to be that I will be careful to guard my tongue so I will not say things that hurt others?

Proverbs 16:23-33 (English Standard Version)

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