Speak-Sweet Sunday

The Daily Kindness Challenge

Out of the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a fountain send forth at the same hole the sweet and the bitter? 
~ James 3:10-11

There are so many scriptures about the importance of speaking kindly! I chose this one because I love the illustration that sweet and bitter water cannot both come from the same spring. Our mouths should speak only sweetly, like sweet water flowing from a life-giving fountain.

So, that's our challenge today. Speak sweet words, kind words. Speak words that build up, not tear down. Purposefully, give compliments and encouragements today. Use a pleasant tone of voice.

Remember your 3 Focus Areas:

• Speak kindly to yourself. Give yourself a compliment. Engage in some positive self-talk. David had to encourage himself in the Lord (1 Samuel 30:6). You can do that too!
• Speak kindly to your Inner Circle. Confession time! I talk meaner to my husband than I do to anyone else - and this ought not to be so! Too often, we fall into the trap of being unkind to those closest to us, those that know us well and will love us anyway. Yet, these are the very people that most deserve, and will probably most appreciate, our kindness! Speak extra sweetly to your loved ones today!
• Speak kindly to your Outer Circle. As people cross your path today, offer a pleasant greeting. Say a little something extra that you normally wouldn't say.

If you're tempted to speak bitterly today, think twice before you do. How can you turn the bitter to sweet? Want to complain? Express gratitude instead. If you have to criticize, sandwich the criticism between two compliments. If you're tempted to yell at someone, speak in a whisper.

Here are some more scriptures to consider. There are lots more on this subject, so feel free to share others in the comments here or on Facebook.

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 
~ Ephesians 4:29

A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, and a word in due season, how good it is! 
~ Proverbs 15:23

A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but crookedness in it is a break in the spirit. 
~ Proverbs 15:4

Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles. 

~ Proverbs 21:23

Lord, I am so grateful for the gifts of speech and communication! Please place a guard on my mouth today and help to me be mindful of the words I speak. I choose to speak kindly today - to myself and others - and I thank you for giving me the strength and boldness to do so. Amen.