Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. (Proverbs 16:24, NIV)
“Oh, wow! In your life, have you seen anything like that?” – Vern Lundquist
“Better than most. Better than most!” – Gary Koch
“I just stood there watching him walk past and thinking, ‘I don’t know what that is, but I know there weren’t two of them on Noah’s Ark.’” – David Feherty, on Tiger Woods
“I say, ‘Hey, Lama, hey, how about a little something for the effort, you know?’ And he says, ‘Oh, uh, there won’t be any money, but when you die, on your deathbed, you will receive total consciousness.’ So I got that going for me, which is nice.” – Carl Spackler (Caddyshack)
“Josh, you’re intimidating.” – a close friend of mine in college speaking words that turned my heart from a life of cultural Christianity to following Jesus
Words are powerful. Whether they come from an exciting sports moment, a favorite movie, or personally to us from a friend, coach, colleague, or family member, great dialogue sticks with us.
Our words should be used to encourage, liberate, and point those around us to truth as Jesus did.God is writing the story of our lives, and after all, don’t all great stories have great dialogue? Over the course of our lives, we can all look back and remember words that have pierced our hearts both positively and negatively. These words then influenced a response. For some of us they emboldened, but others inhibited, discouraged, angered, or confused.
So think back. You probably don’t have to think very hard. What words have been indelible for you? As impactful as others’ words have been on your life, have you ever actually thought about how impactful yours can be on others? King Solomon wrote, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Proverbs 18:21). The Bible affirms we all have a tremendous power imbedded in us—our ability to speak words into others’ lives.
Today’s verse compares gracious words to honey. In that day honey was a luxury, a delicacy often reserved for kings. Not only that, but honey also never spoils. Because it lasts forever, jars of it were often placed in the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs along with other great treasures. Are you using your words to place treasures in other people’s lives? Whether you realize it or not, you are a cast member strategically placed in the lives of others by God.
Are you using your most powerful tool, your words, to give life or death?
As followers of Jesus we should be seeking to be transformed in every way, and that means that our words should be used to encourage, liberate, and point those around us to truth as Jesus did. When spoken in true love, our words—intentional in either support or challenge, depending on the circumstance—have the power to leave an indelible mark. We possess a significant power, the power to use our words to be salt, shed light, and give life to the soul—to be a honeycomb.
—
Josh Nelson
March 24, 2016
Copyright 2016 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.