Kindly Words

Today’s scripture: Galatians 5:19-25; Proverbs 31:26 (NRSV) (NLT)

As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me in this passage? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two before reading on.

My thoughts on this passage (Tyler Connoley):

Sometimes it’s difficult to get our brains around a conceptual idea like “kindness.” It’s easy to say I need the fruit of kindness in my life, but what does that mean in practical terms? Proverbs 31:26 helps me think of kindness as an action, instead of as a concept.

When I speak, are my words helpful or hurtful? Do I speak rashly, and therefore unwisely? Or am I careful with the words I choose?

In particular, Proverbs 31:26, makes me think about how I offer advice. All of us want to be wise, and that sometimes gets us into trouble. We see the “dumb” thing someone else is doing, and we jump in with advice, which comes out as criticism. This is the classic stereotype of the mother-in-law’s tongue, but it’s not the way the “good woman” of Proverbs 31 is described. Her words are wise and kind, and she knows how to help her family and friends without driving them away with criticism.

Thought for the day: Do you need to offer advice to someone? How can you phrase your words so they’re kind and wise?

We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to start, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.