Conversations: Season Your Words with Kindness: The Power of Graceful Speech in Building Relationships

Our words have great power. They can either lift someone up or tear them down. The Bible teaches us to speak with kindness, especially to the elderly, our friends, family, and relatives. We should never take each other for granted. How we speak to others reflects our love and respect for them and shows our relationship with God.  There is an old saying, “your attitude determines your altitude or how far you go in life”.

alt tag:  Words

Colossians 4:6 (KJV) says, “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” This means our words should be thoughtful and kind, making people feel valued, not hurt or dismissed. When we speak with grace, we make the world a better place and show others what it means to live a life of love.

Real-World Example:

Imagine a family gathering where tensions are high. A young man, frustrated with his job, speaks harshly to his grandmother, blaming her for giving him advice that didn’t work out. His hurtful words make her feel unappreciated and disrespected.

Later, the man realizes his mistake, apologizes sincerely, and takes the time to thank his grandmother for always caring about his well-being. His change in words brings peace to the family and strengthens their bond. This example shows how choosing kind words, especially when speaking to elders, can build respect and love.

Proverbs 16:31 (KJV) reminds us, “The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.” We should honor those who are older by speaking to them with respect and care.

We also must be kind to friends and family. Ephesians 4:29 (KJV) tells us, “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.” Our words can encourage and build each other up, or they can cause harm. Choose to build, not break.

words killed me.

Bible Story Featuring Jesus:

In John 8:1-11 (KJV), the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery to Jesus, ready to stone her according to the law. They asked Jesus what should be done, hoping to trap Him. Instead of responding harshly, Jesus calmly said, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her” (John 8:7 KJV). His gentle but powerful words made everyone leave, and He then told the woman, “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more” (John 8:11 KJV).

Jesus’ words were full of grace, not condemnation. His kindness and wisdom saved the woman from death and encouraged her to live a better life. This shows how Jesus used His words to build up and guide, not to tear down.

Kind words create strong, loving relationships. They show others that we value them. When we take care in how we speak, we reflect the love of God in our lives and in the lives of those around us.