Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,

sweet to the soul &

health to the bones. Proverbs 16:24

But what are bitter words like?

They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim bitter cruel words like deadly arrows.

Psalms 64:3

For behold, the wicked bend their bows;

they set their arrow on the string to shoot from the shadows

Psalms 11:2

My soul is among the lions; I lie down with ravenous beasts

whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.

Psalm 57:4

Bitter words are sharp, stabbing, cowardly & vicious.

For thousands of years, we’ve enjoyed the sweet delights of honey.

Bees collect nectar from flowers & return to their hive

where they store it in wax honeycombs.

They create honey as a food source for themselves during the winter,

but we take excess honey & collect it for ourselves

I used to have a dozen bee hives.

There was one hive that was twice as productive

In giving the sweetest honey.

The interesting thing about that hive was the guard bees were more numerous

They would whack me from every angle in a bitter stinging rage.

I would brush them off the comb with a soft brush

then place each frame of honey into a centrifuge

to spin the honey loose from the wax combs.

Honey is an illustration of the power of words.

Just as honey brings delight & satisfaction,

so can pleasant & edifying words build us up.

Just as nutritious foods help to build human health,

so wise & loving words can build up the spiritual & emotional health

Building up others (“edifying”) is a major responsibility.

We’re to pursue “the things by which we can edify another” Rom 14:19

We Look for a way to build up & encourage others by the words we speak

We want our words be like honey to others soul

If our heart is sweet with honey our tongue wags with upbuilding power

But our hearts can be more productive of honey if we can convert the bitter raging

stings of those who are bent on a savage attack on our souls.

And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah,

for they were bitter; therefore the name of it was called Marah.

Exodus 15:23

And Moses cried to the LORD & the LORD showed him a tree,

which when he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet:

there the Lord tested them. Exodus 15:25

Dont think it strange when a bitter fiery trial test us,

as though some strange thing happened unto us,

but rejoice, we are partakers of Christ’s sufferings,

that, when his glory is revealed,

we will be glad with exceeding joy.

1 Peter 4:12,13

Don’t beat on the bees that sting

Jesus said, Put up your sword into the sheath;

the cup which my Father has given me,

shall I not drink it? John 18:11

Don’t beat the bees. Just harvest the honey!!!