Thinking today about my words… How I say things. I know some people who just seem to have the uncanny ability to make people mad whenever they speak. They are brutally direct, insensitive to the feelings of others and pride themselves in “telling it like it is.” Kind of like “a bull in a china closet” as they say… I don’t want to be like them!
On the other hand I have friends whose words are like a delightful glaze on a French pastry… sweet (but not overpoweringly sweet), gracious and kind, affirming and positive, preparing you for the desert to follow. These kinds of people make you want to respond positively to them. Call it “setting you up” if you want to… I’ll call it wisdom, discretion, and persuasiveness!
Here’s what I read in Proverbs this morning on the subject…
“The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness! …The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips. Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” (from Proverbs 16:21-24 ESV)
I want my speech to be like that! But most of all I prayed this prayer today… “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in YOUR sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer!” (Psalm 19:14)
