Proverbs 16:23-28 Devotional: What are words for?0

Devotional Sharing, Submitted by Pastor William Kang, Gracepoint Berkeley

Proverbs 16:23-24, 27-28

What can I learn about the power of words through these verses? What I can learn about the power of words is that they have the power to encourage others.  The text says “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and

You can actually eat a honeycomb

healing to the bones.”  Words of encouragement can provide this type of healing.  And they provide healing only when they are true.  Otherwise, it’s flattery and that can be harmful.  For me, in the past, words that have expressed God’s character, his unconditional love, his faithfulness have encouraged me greatly.  They have acted as guardrails to keep me on the path and to bolster me up as I walk with Him.  God’s promises are tremendously encouraging.  They paint a picture of a victorious future, where God puts the final nail on death’s coffin, and where God saves me from the presence of sin.  Those words are sweet, and I enjoy how they jump out to encourage me when I read the Bible.

The text also says that says that lips promote instruction.  This means that words have the ability to educate, to change a person’s mind, which in turn changes a person’s life and the direction that he goes.  Words are powerful.  And so they should be used well, with love and with wisdom.  I’m thankful that God gives me the chance to minister to others.  But understanding the power of words, I must carry out God’s command with great reverence.

What guides my mouth?  Evaluate how I use my words. What guides my mouth?  I would like to say that it’s always some combination of the spirit of God, wisdom, love, selflessness, kindness, patience, loyalty, humility, trust, hope or perseverance that guides my words.  But more often than not, what guides my words is me—William Kang the sinner, William Kang the unthinker, William Kang the selfish, William Kang the foolish, William Kang the immature.  As a follower of Jesus commissioned to be his ambassador, I cannot be so careless with my words.  Knowing that words have power I must use words that advance God’s kingdom, and this means that I must deal with what is in my heart.

“The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.  But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.  For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”” (Matthew 12:35-37 NIV)

In what ways have I experienced words stirring up dissension or destroying relationships? From what kind of attitude would such destructive words come?

There have been many moments in my life where I said something witty, just to make fun of someone.  For a lot of those moments, it’s out of pure fun.  But for some of those moments it was to humiliate them because I felt envious or competitive.  It was a way for me to put them down in the eyes of the public.  I remember another time where I said a tasteless joke.  It made everyone who heard it feel uncomfortable, and I destroyed the time of fellowship. In what ways can I use my words to “promote instruction” or to bless and heal? One thing I can do is to ask for forgiveness.  Shortly after the tasteless joke, I apologized and asked everyone there for forgiveness.  When they gave me their forgiveness, I felt the process of healing was taking place.  The guilt washed away and the relationship was restored.  Another thing I can do is to say encouraging words or words of correction.  Anything I can do to guide others to the cross or to holiness I must do.

Devotion Questions:

• What can I learn about the power of words through these verses?
• What guides my mouth?  Evaluate how I use my words.
• In what ways have I experienced words stirring up dissension or destroying relationships?  From what kind of attitude would such destructive words come?
• In what ways can I use my words to “promote instruction” or to bless and heal?

Commentary:

v.23 Those who are wise ensure that they say wise things

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