THE BEST WORDS are helpful words. They bring forth wisdom (Proverbs 10:31). They promote instruction (Proverbs 16:23). Words of wisdom, and knowledge, and instruction, and good counsel and sound advice are exactly the opposite of words of foolishness, and folly, deceitful flattery, slander and gossip, arguing and strife, profanity and vulgarity, bragging and boasting, talking too much, lying and exaggeration and perversity, and ignorance. A pretty good rule of thumb to follow is to ask ourselves this question before we speak. Are the words I’m about to say going to be helpful to somebody else?

Good words are going to be few. Proverbs 10:19, “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.”

Helpful words are going to be calm words. Sometimes people speak with very inflammatory types of language. And maybe they speak with a lot of volume that displays anger, bitterness, and tempers begin to flare, and people say things that really they wish they hadn’t said once things cool down, and the writer of Proverbs, the wise man Solomon said, “Words at their best are words that are calm.” Proverbs 15:1, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

Words at their best are encouraging words. Proverbs 12:25, “An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.” Proverbs 16:24, “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Proverbs 25:11, “A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” Those are encouraging words you see.

There are enough discouraging words in the world. There are enough people who are trying to tear others down, what folks really need is encouragement. Mark Twain said, “I can live up to two weeks on a compliment.” Let’s try to polish and hone that skill of encouraging and helping others with our good words.

How do we learn to speak encouraging words instead of discouraging words? Jesus said that a person speaks out of the abundance of his heart so the first step is to pray, “Create in me a pure heart O God, Let me be like You in all my ways.”

Proverbs, chapter 4:23, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”

Joe