Honey Rather Than Vinegar

Proverbs 12:18

 

18There is one who speaks like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health.

 

Many of us heard the term, "think before your speak" while growing up. If you know children, then you know they are brutally honest, holding nothing back. It is often called "no filter" in today's society. They may even repeat back to you something you said that you know you shouldn't have said, especially in their presence. Those words could've been hurtful to someone else but did you think before you said anything? Words can hurt. The apostle James talks about taming the tongue in James 3. He said we bless God with it and curse men. Proverbs 18:21 says the power of life and death lie in the tongue. Did you know you can break a person's spirit with your tongue? A lot of pain can be caused by it. Words come out of the mouth that cannot be taken back once uttered. They can be piercing as the Word says. What does it mean to pierce? Merriam-Webster's Dictionary describes it as 1) to enter or thrust into sharply or painfully: stab 2) to make a hole in or through: perforate 3) penetrate 4) to see through: discern. So your words can pierce so sharply they cause pain. But one who is wise speaks to promote health. It does not mean the truth has to be hidden when speaking. It means thought is given and God is consulted so that words, though truthful, go down like honey rather than vinegar. Honey is sweet and can be consumed. Vinegar alone is bitter to taste. The Word says that God's Word is like a two-edged sword. His Word can be used to correct. But you may never know how much you hurt a person with your words. God knows. And He is the one who has to mend the broken spirit.