Bible Verses About Raising Children
January 23, 2025
Bible Verses About Obeying Parents
January 24, 2025
Words can affect people far more deeply than we sometimes realise. A kind word can encourage someone who is struggling, calm a difficult situation, or remind someone that they are valued. On the other hand, harsh and careless words can cause wounds that remain long after a conversation has ended.
The Bible takes our words seriously because the way we speak reveals something about what is happening in our hearts. Scripture teaches us to speak with kindness, wisdom, grace and self-control. This does not mean avoiding the truth or pretending everything is fine. It means learning how to speak the truth in a way that reflects God’s character.
Quick Answer
The Bible teaches that kind words can bring encouragement, peace and healing. We are called to use our words to build others up rather than tear them down, while still being honest and willing to speak difficult truths when necessary.
Kindness in our speech is not weakness. It is one way we can show wisdom, love and self-control.
The Bible Says Kind Words Can Bring Healing
One of the clearest descriptions of kind words is found in Proverbs.
Proverbs 16:24 — Pleasant Words Bring Sweetness
“Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”
The Bible compares pleasant words to honey because they can be refreshing and encouraging. A person who is struggling may not need us to solve their entire situation. Sometimes a few sincere words of encouragement can remind them that they are not alone.
This is one reason we should not underestimate the impact of our speech. We may forget something we said within minutes, while another person may remember those words for years.
Gentle Words Can Calm Conflict
Kindness is particularly important when emotions are high. When someone is angry, responding with more anger can quickly make the situation worse.
Proverbs 15:1 — A Soft Answer Turns Away Wrath
“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”
A gentle answer does not mean agreeing with everything someone says or refusing to stand up for yourself. It means choosing not to add unnecessary anger to an already difficult situation.
Sometimes the wisest thing we can do is slow down before responding. We can take a moment to think about what we are about to say rather than allowing anger to decide for us.
Kind Words Begin With the Heart
Jesus taught that our words reveal what is happening inside us.
Matthew 12:34 — Out of the Heart the Mouth Speaks
“O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”
Our speech can reveal anger, bitterness, pride, love, patience, kindness or resentment. This is why changing our words is not simply a matter of learning to sound nicer. God wants to work on the heart from which our words come.
If we are constantly critical, angry or bitter, it is worth asking God to show us what is happening beneath the surface. Sometimes our words are revealing hurt, stress, resentment or unforgiveness that we need to bring to Him.
Use Your Words to Build People Up
The New Testament gives Christians a very practical instruction about speech.
Ephesians 4:29 — Speak Words That Build Others Up
“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.”
The word “edifying” carries the idea of building someone up. Our words should have a purpose that is good and helpful rather than simply being an outlet for our frustration.
This does not mean that Christians should never correct anyone. Sometimes loving someone means telling them the truth. The question is whether we are speaking because we genuinely want to help or because we want to hurt, embarrass or bring someone down.
Speak With Grace
Paul also tells believers that their speech should be characterised by grace.
Colossians 4:6 — Let Your Speech Be With Grace
“Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”
Grace-filled speech does not mean being fake or refusing to say anything difficult. It means considering how we communicate and treating people with dignity even when we disagree.
There are times when truth needs to be spoken clearly. But truth does not have to be delivered with cruelty.
Kind Words Are Not the Same as Flattery
It is important to understand that biblical kindness is not simply saying whatever makes someone feel good.
The Bible does not tell us to flatter people or tell them something is true when it is not. Genuine kindness can include encouragement, but it can also include loving correction.
Proverbs 27:6 — Faithful Wounds
“Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.”
A faithful friend may sometimes tell us something we do not want to hear because they genuinely care about us.
Kindness therefore needs to be connected with truth. We should not use “being kind” as an excuse to remain silent when someone genuinely needs correction, nor should we use “telling the truth” as an excuse to speak cruelly.
Encourage One Another
One of the simplest ways to use our words well is to become people who regularly encourage others.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 — Encourage and Build One Another Up
“Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.”
People often remember criticism much more easily than encouragement. It is therefore worth becoming intentional about noticing the good in other people and telling them when we appreciate them.
A sincere “thank you,” “I’m proud of you,” “you did a good job,” or “I’m praying for you” may seem small, but words of encouragement can mean a great deal to someone who is struggling.
Think Before You Speak
Kind speech often requires self-control. We may not always be able to control what someone else says to us, but we can take responsibility for how we respond.
James 1:19–20 — Be Slow to Speak
“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”
Being slow to speak gives us an opportunity to listen and think before responding. This is especially important when we feel angry, embarrassed, defensive or hurt.
Not every thought needs to become a spoken sentence. Sometimes wisdom means pausing long enough to decide whether what we want to say will actually help.
Kind Words Can Bring Strength to Someone Who Is Hurting
We never know what another person may be carrying privately. Someone who appears to be doing well may be struggling deeply, and a simple word of encouragement may reach them at exactly the right time.
Proverbs 12:25 — A Good Word Makes the Heart Glad
“Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.”
This is one reason Christians should not underestimate the value of encouragement. We do not always know how much someone needs a kind word.
A good word cannot fix every problem, but it can remind someone that they are seen, valued and cared about.
Kindness Does Not Mean Avoiding Difficult Conversations
There are times when we need to have difficult conversations. We may need to confront a problem, correct harmful behaviour, apologise, establish a boundary or tell someone that something they have done is wrong.
Biblical kindness does not require us to avoid those conversations.
Ephesians 4:15 — Speak the Truth in Love
“But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”
Notice that Scripture brings truth and love together. We are not called to choose between being truthful and being kind.
The goal is to speak truth in love.
That means our motivation matters. We should not use truth as a weapon to humiliate someone, and we should not use kindness as an excuse to hide the truth.
Kind Words Can Change the Atmosphere Around Us
Our words influence the environments we are part of. A home filled with constant criticism can become tense and discouraging, while a home where people regularly speak with patience and encouragement can feel very different.
This is particularly important within families. Children, spouses, friends and other people around us can be deeply affected by the way we speak to them.
Proverbs 15:4 — A Wholesome Tongue
“A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.”
Our speech can contribute to the health of our relationships or contribute to their destruction. This is why learning to communicate with kindness is not a minor part of Christian living.
What If Kind Words Don’t Come Naturally to Me?
If your words tend to become harsh when you are stressed or angry, don’t simply focus on changing your vocabulary. Ask God to work on the deeper issues affecting the way you communicate.
You may need to learn to pause before responding. You may need to deal with resentment or unforgiveness. You may need to become better at listening instead of immediately defending yourself. You may also need to recognise when you are exhausted or overwhelmed and give yourself time before having a difficult conversation.
Most importantly, ask God to transform your heart.
Psalm 141:3 — Ask God to Guard Your Mouth
“Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.”
This is a simple prayer that we can all pray. We can ask God to help us recognise when we should speak, what we should say and when remaining silent would be wiser.
Bible Verses About Kind Words
Proverbs 16:24 — Pleasant Words
“Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”
Proverbs 15:1 — Gentle Speech
“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”
Matthew 12:34 — Words Reveal the Heart
“O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”
Ephesians 4:29 — Build Others Up
“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.”
Colossians 4:6 — Speak With Grace
“Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”
Proverbs 12:18 — Words Can Heal
“There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.”
Proverbs 12:25 — A Good Word
“Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11 — Encourage One Another
“Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.”
Ephesians 4:15 — Speak the Truth in Love
“But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”
Final Thoughts
Kind words are not insignificant. The Bible shows us that our speech can encourage, strengthen, comfort and bring peace, but it can also cause deep harm when it is controlled by anger, pride or bitterness.
God does not call us to be fake or to avoid difficult truths. He calls us to speak with wisdom, grace, self-control and love. Sometimes kindness means offering encouragement. Sometimes it means listening instead of reacting. Sometimes it means speaking a difficult truth gently rather than using it to hurt someone.
The next time you are about to respond in anger, take a moment to pause and ask God for wisdom. Your words may have a greater impact than you realise.
Proverbs 16:24
“Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”
✨ Still have a question?
You can send it through the Ask a Bible Question page, and I’ll respond with guidance from God’s Word.
You can also leave your questions on my YouTube channel, where I share clear, practical encouragement, and answers to common questions.
