Pleasant Words

 Happy Sunday!

"Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones."(Proverbs 16:24 KJV).

I enjoy house plants.  If you visit my home this is immediately evident.  I rarely speak to my plants, but I can tell if they need water, food, or more light.  Scientific studies have proven that positive words spoken to plants have an effect on them.  Whether it's the vibration in the sound waves or the carbon dioxide, something really happens to the plants when they are spoken to.  The scripture above says pleasant words are even beneficial to Humans.

Jesus is our example.  He spoke to a fig tree in the Bible.  Matthew 21:18-20 says, "In the morning, as Jesus was returning to Jerusalem, he was hungry, and he noticed a fig tree beside the road. He went over to see if there were any figs, but there were ONLY leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” And immediately the fig tree withered up. The disciples were amazed when they saw this and asked, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?”(NLT).  Why would Jesus curse that fig tree?  Great question, so glad you asked!  Fig trees produce fruit before they produce leaves.  That fig tree was a Hypocrite!  The Webster Dictionary 1828 defines hypocrite like this, "One who feigns to be what he is not; one who has the form of godliness without the power, or who assumes an appearance of piety and virtue, when he is destitute of true religion."

The Apostle Paul knew the power of words and encouraged Believers, "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers."(Ephesians 4:29 KJV).  What kind of words are you speaking to others?  What sort of words are you speaking to yourself?  Don't miss this! It matters what you say!  Jesus said, "The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very WORDS I have spoken to you are spirit and life."(John 6:63 NLT).

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."(Philippians 4:8 KJV).  Think on good things, and speak pleasant words!

Love and prayers, Cynthia