“Gentle words bring life and health, a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.” Proverbs 15:4
Okay for those of you who have really been doing the S.S.A.L.S with me I am going to mess you up just a little bit. I am switching our verse for this week. One because I know as stewards of God’s word you can do it, and two, well, because it is what the Lord found to be appropriate and whatever my Father wants I want. I know you will do great!
There are two key words I want to point out, gentle and deceitful. Today we will focus on the word gentle! Someone who uses gentle words is one who is kind and mild-mannered. Which now days is becoming very rare.
Let me tell you why I say that.
Have you ever ridden in the vehicle with someone who has road rage? If so, then you know they don’t always use the most kind and mild-mannered words, do they?
Have you ever been to a high school, college, or NFL football game? Then you will agree the speeches of some fans around you are not very kind or mild-mannered, especially when there team is not doing so well. Being a wife of a football coach, a sister-in-law to another high school coach, and an NFL coach, I have heard my fair share of not so gentle words. It is a good thing I love me some Jesus, because I would have to return some not so kind words back, especially when they talk about those three men I love and adore.
What about the words spoken between you and your husband/wife when you are angry with one another. I know I have never thrown out words of gentleness or even been mild-mannered. Have you?
What about when you are around those who talk bad about other people, are the words they use gentle? What are your words like when you talk about others? Are they gentle?
What about the times your kids fight, or you and a sibling or friend have fought, were there gentle words involved? What if someone who wanted to say something ugly about you, did it using gentle words? Just think about it.
Here is my point, gentle words according to Proverbs 15:4 bring life and health. They do not bring death and sickness like the words spoken in flesh do. The Bible is full of words that bring life and health. So if we can begin to speak those words, and I mean God’s actual words, we too will begin to bring life and health to all who hear us speak.
For example, when you find yourself in a conversation, see how many gentle words you speak. If you find your conversation between your spouse getting heated, just start saying as many gentle words as you can and see what happens. When that car pulls out in front of you start speaking words of gentleness about the driver. When a friend begins talking about someone else just start saying as many gentle words as you can. When your kids fight make them say at least ten words that are kind and gentle to each other. If you need help coming up with gentle words, the fruits of the Spirit are always good-Galatians 5:22-23 and of course so is any word used from Genesis to Revelation.
Life and health brethren, life and health!
Prayer: Lord it is Your words that bring life and health. Help us to store up as much of them as we can, so when we do speak our words will be an outpouring of life and health onto others. Amen
