June 7 – The Power of Pleasantness (Colossians 4:6)

“Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”(Proverbs 16:24)

IN WORD:
There are few things in this world as contagious as words. Rumors spread like wildfire, lies inflame deadly passions, and bitterness hardens the heart of both its speakers and its hearers. On the other hand, encouragement cultivates the will, praise establishes the praiseworthy, and truth always begets wisdom. Words can do great things.
Speech is an awesome responsibility. It’s hard to imagine that our casual comments can have eternal implications, but they can. God anoints them for blessing, and Satan uses them for cursing. Both blessings and curses have a dramatic impact on the heart and soul of human beings. They often dictate the direction we go — forever.
That’s why pleasant words are sweet and soothing. They have deep spiritual impact. They are not neutral claims of neutral people; they are vehicles for both the power of God and for the corruption of this world. They can be inspired by the Holy One or hijacked by the evil one. They matter — a lot.

IN DEED:
Have you ever considered the implications of your words? They can be powerful, whether you realize it or not. Through your speech, you can pour out wrath and condemnation, and you can pour out blessing and encouragement. You can set the mood of a room and cultivate the direction of a life. You can stop people dead in their tracks or put them on a course of fruitfulness. One way or another, what comes out of your mouth is rapidly contagious. It will either build up or tear down. It all depends on what you say and how you say it.
Try this mental exercise: Learn to consider each of your words as a powerful spark, a small investment in a vast future. See the implications beyond the moment. Discipline your mouth to be silent until you are sure your words are (1) consistent with Scripture and (2) flavored with grace. That doesn’t mean you’ll never say anything harsh — some situations beg for rebuke. But let your speech be redemptive. Most of all, let it point to God.

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” -Mother Teresa-