Heaven and earth will pass away, but my [Jesus’] words will not pass away. Luke 21:33 ESV

Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. Proverbs 16:24 ESV

Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Proverbs 18:21 ESV

The words that I [Jesus] have spoken to you are spirit and life. John 6:63b ESV

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Colossians 4:6 ESV

All of our verses today are talking about words. You use words every day, lots of words! You use spoken words to talk to your mom and dad, your friends and teachers, and even to your pets. You can also use written words like I am using right now.

Two of our verses are words spoken by Jesus, can you find them? Yes, Luke 21:33 and John 6:63b! Jesus speaks words that we can read in the Bible. He says they won’t “pass away,” that means they won’t be forgotten. Jesus also speaks words that are spirit and life for each of us.

Two of our verses tell us that we should speak “gracious” (kind and pleasant) words. Did you find them? Great! And our last verse, Proverbs 18:21, tells us why… because the words we speak have power, to hurt (death) or to help (life).

Did anyone ever say something that hurt your feelings? Did you ever say anything to someone that was mean or hurt their feelings? Words can hurt.

But gracious, kind, words can make someone feel good or encourage them. Words can help.

This week I want you to think about the words that you use. I want to encourage you to use words that Jesus might use, words of life, words that help others. Talk with your parents. Talk about how to use kind, gracious, and “sweet” words.

It is easy to be kind to people who are kind to us. But we have to work harder to be kind to those who are not kind to us. We have to choose to be kind. And when you are kind, they might be so surprised that they will be kind to you, too. Try it!

Blessings and joy as you let your words be kind and give “life”, just like Jesus!