Refreshing Words 滋润人心的话
Dexu Xia
Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land. Proverbs 25:25
Standing in the kitchen, my daughter exclaimed, “Mom, there’s a fly in the honey!” I quipped back with the familiar adage, “You will always catch more flies with honey than vinegar.” While this was the first time I’d (accidentally) caught a fly with honey, I found myself quoting this modern proverb because of its wisdom: kind requests are more likely to persuade others than a bitter attitude.
The book of Proverbs gives us a collection of wise proverbs and sayings inspired by God’s Spirit. These inspired sayings help to guide us and teach us important truths about how to live in ways that honor God. Many of the proverbs focus on interpersonal relationships, including the profound effect our words can have on others.
In a section of proverbs attributed to King Solomon, he warned against the harm caused by speaking falsely against a neighbor (Proverbs 25:18). He counseled that a “sly tongue” results in dreary relationships (v. 23). Solomon warned against the chilling effect of constantly using complaining words (v. 24). And the king encouraged readers that blessing comes when our words bring good news (v. 25). As we seek to apply these truths, we have God’s Spirit who helps us give a “proper answer” (16:1). Empowered by Him, our words can be sweet and refreshing.
By: Lisa M. Samra
When have you seen the profound effect of words? How might the Spirit guide you to use refreshing words?
Heavenly Father, please help me to reflect Your compassion in my interactions by using gracious and kind words.
有好消息从远方来，就如拿凉水给口渴的人喝。—箴言25章25节
我女儿站在厨房里大声喊道：“妈妈，蜂蜜里有一只苍蝇！”我用一句西方谚语打趣道：“一勺蜜比一桶醋能抓到更多苍蝇。”虽然，这是我第一次不小心用蜂蜜捉到一只苍蝇，但我发觉所引用的这句现代谚语相当有智慧：善意的请求比尖酸刻薄的态度更容易说服人。
箴言这卷书收录了许多上帝的灵所默示的智慧格言和谚语。这些启发人心的话能指引我们，也教导我们重要的真理，让我们知道如何以荣耀上帝的方式来生活。箴言有许多部分都特别着重于人际关系，包括我们的话语对他人深远的影响。
所罗门王撰写了箴言书部分的内容，他提醒读者，作假见证陷害邻舍会造成伤害（箴言25章18节），“谗谤人的舌头”会破坏人际关系（23节）。所罗门王还发出警告，经常争吵、说抱怨的话会令人疏远（24节）。他也鼓励读者，当我们的言语传递好消息时，祝福就会临到（25节）。
当我们努力实践这些真理时，上帝的灵会帮助我们作出正确的应对（16章1节）。因祂所赐的能力，我们的话语可以使人感到窝心温暖，神清气爽。
作者： 夏莉珊
你何时曾体会话语带来的深远影响？
圣灵会如何带领你说出滋润人心的话？
天父，请帮助我在与人互动时，
使用亲切友善的话语，以祢的恩慈待人。