The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. Proverbs 18:21 NLT

Words can cut. You can probably recall specific hurtful words that were spoken to you, years ago. Even if the person on the receiving end of abusive speech knows the hateful words are untrue, damaging words aren’t easily forgotten.

Neuroscientist Maria Richter monitored people’s brain responses to spoken and imagined negative words. During this process, scientists discovered that negative words released stress and anxiety-inducing hormones in subjects. Not surprisingly, James 3:6,8 describes the tongue as fire. “It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire…. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”

But words can also heal us and inspire us for a lifetime. “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body” says the Bible book of Proverbs (Proverbs 16:24). Do you tend toward encouraging words or thoughtless ones? It requires practice to regularly choose to encouraging words. “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips” prayed the writer of Psalms. (Psalm 141:3 ESV).

The Bible instructs us that our words should build people up (Ephesians 4:29) and be balanced with listening. Words can extend grace to others with the proper response for each situation (Colossians 4:6). Helpful words consider the proper timing (Proverbs 15:23) and are not insensitive even if true. Take the opportunity today to choose words that are like honeycomb to the listener, rather than poison.

Resource reading: James 3:1-12