Sweeter Than Honey 比蜜更甜
Dexu Xia
Sweeter Than Honey
Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24
His topic was racial tension. Yet the speaker remained calm and collected. Standing on stage before a large audience, he spoke boldly—but with grace, humility, kindness, and even humor. Soon the tense audience visibly relaxed, laughing along with the speaker about the dilemma they all faced: how to resolve their hot issue, but cool down their feelings and words. Yes, how to tackle a sour topic with sweet grace.
King Solomon advised this same approach for all of us: “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones” (Proverbs 16:24). In this way, “The hearts of the wise make . . . their lips promote instruction” (v. 23).
Why would a powerful king like Solomon devote time to addressing how we speak? Because words can destroy. During Solomon’s time, kings relied on messengers for information about their nations, and calm and reliable messengers were highly valued. They used prudent words and reasoned tongues, not overreacting or speaking harshly, no matter the issue.
We all can benefit by gracing our opinions and thoughts with godly and prudent sweetness. In Solomon’s words, “To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue” (v. 1).
What is your way of speaking when talking about a hot and divisive topic? When you allow God’s Spirit to sweeten your tongue, what changes in your words?
比蜜更甜
良言如同蜂房，使心觉甘甜，使骨得医治。—箴言16章24节
演讲者正谈论敏感的种族问题，但他仍然冷静从容。站在有大批观众围绕的讲台上，他大胆地发言，但言词优雅、谦逊、和善，甚至带着幽默。很快地，情绪紧绷的观众们明显地放松下来，和演讲者一起探讨他们所遇见的困境：该如何以冷静的态度和言词，去解决他们所面对的棘手问题。换言之，要如何以柔和的方式面对尖锐的课题。
所罗门王也给我们这样的建议：“良言如同蜂房，使心觉甘甜，使骨得医治”（箴言16章24节）。如此一来，“智慧人的心⋯⋯使自己口中的话增加说服力”（23节，新译本）。
为什么像所罗门这样有权力的君王要花时间谈论人们该如何说话呢？因为话语具有拆毁的能力。在所罗门王的时代，各国的君王仰赖报信者带来关于他们国家的资讯，因此冷静且可信赖的报信者相当受人重视。他们会使用谨慎与适当的言语，无论出现什么状况，也不会反应过度或说话苛刻。
我们若能以敬虔与谨慎的话语，和善地表达自己的意见和想法，就必从中得益。如所罗门所言：“心中的谋算在乎人；舌头的应对由于耶和华。”（1节）
圣洁的上帝，当我们谈论尖锐的议题时，
求祢甜蜜的圣灵柔软我们的心以及所说的话语。
谈论棘手且会引起分裂的话题时，你会如何发言？
当你让圣灵使你的言语柔和甘甜时，
你的言词会有什么改变呢？