What other Scriptures emphasize the importance of expressing love and admiration? Setting the Scene: Songs 1:9 and the Power of Spoken Love “I compare you, my darling, to a mare among Pharaoh’s chariots.” The bridegroom’s vivid compliment shows that love is meant to be spoken. Scripture consistently reinforces that our lips should overflow with admiration, blessing, and encouragement. Below are key passages that echo this truth. Scriptures that Model Loving Words in Marriage • Genesis 2:23 – Adam’s first recorded words celebrate Eve: “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh.” • Songs 4:7 – “You are altogether beautiful, my darling; in you there is no flaw.” • Songs 7:6 – “How fair and pleasant you are, O love, with your delights!” • Proverbs 31:28 – “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband praises her as well.” • Ephesians 5:25 – “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her.” Together these verses show that spoken admiration strengthens the covenant bond. Scriptures that Celebrate Affirmation Among Friends and Family • Proverbs 16:24 – “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” • Proverbs 18:21 – “Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” • Proverbs 25:11 – “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” • Romans 12:10 – “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.” • 1 Peter 4:8 – “Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” These texts underscore that admiration and encouragement are lifegiving in every relationship. Scriptures Calling the Church to Encouraging Speech • Ephesians 4:29 – “Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.” • 1 Thessalonians 5:11 – “Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing.” • Hebrews 3:13 – “But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” Healthy congregations are marked by words that edify and inspire. Scriptures Showing God Himself Expressing Love • Jeremiah 31:3 – “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with loving devotion.” • Zephaniah 3:17 – “The LORD your God is among you; He is mighty to save. He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you with His love; He will rejoice over you with singing.” • Psalm 63:3 – “Because Your loving devotion is better than life, my lips will glorify You.” God models verbal love; His people respond with praise. Living It Out Today • Speak specific, sincere compliments—just as Solomon’s metaphor was tailored to his bride. • Let daily conversations be seasoned with grace (Colossians 4:6). • Replace criticism with honor, following Romans 12:10. • Use Scripture creatively—read it aloud, send a verse in a note, sing it over loved ones. • Remember: words reflect the heart (Luke 6:45). When Christ rules the heart, love will naturally flow from the tongue. Expressed love builds marriages, families, churches, and gives glory to the God who first loved us. |
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