“Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.” Colossians 4:6
When my boys were in preschool, they were taught the difference between apple words and lemon words. Apple words taste good; they are sweet and encouraging. Lemon words are sour, critical, and negative. When I was growing up, my parents constantly reminded me to be careful about what I said. They described words that criticized others as “put downs.” We live in a culture where to build yourself up, you can feel the need to put someone else down. Don’t believe me? Turn on the television. Listen to the news or to a group of commentators. Put downs are a constant reality. Criticism, disparagement, and fault-finding is the norm. It should not be so.
The Bible puts a huge emphasis on our words. Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Ephesians 4:29 says, “Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” Spend some time this week thinking about what you say. Encourage others with your words. Encourage yourself with your words. Don’t put down others; don’t put down yourself. Speak life. Offer apples.