Introduction
Before getting into the meaning of Proverbs 12:25, here’s different Bible translations:
King James Version
Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.
American Standard Version
Heaviness in the heart of a man maketh it stoop; But a good word maketh it glad.
World English Bible version
Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down, but a kind word makes it glad.
Proverbs 12.25 Meaning & Commentary
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. Proverbs 12:25 (ESV)
It is incredible what thoughts, emotions, and words can do to us and how they can affect our lives. For example, we can get a bad report from the doctor, and it can cause anxiety and fear to stream into our minds and hearts. Or conversely – we can receive great news, perhaps that we are getting a promotion, or a business deal has come through, or good family news, which can cause us to feel all sorts of good emotions.
It is now commonly accepted that many physical ailments we experience can be traced back to our mental or spiritual state. This is a concept that we see in Proverbs 12:25 as well as elsewhere in The Bible: Proverbs 14:30 A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot. It is a spiritual and scriptural truth that what happens inside us – in our soul and spirit- impacts our physical body: Psalm 32:3 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.
In this verse, King David is referring to hidden sin, which he had bottled up inside. Anxiety is not God’s desire or intention for our lives and is the opposite of The Kingdom of God: Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Good (or Gracious words) make a person glad because what we hear or think affects how we feel. So, naturally, when we receive good news or a good word – whatever that may be; that too stirs up healthy emotions inside us. This is partly why The Bible is so serious about our words and what we say. Our words impact other people’s lives!
Application
How can we apply Proverbs 12:25 to our lives?
Firstly, The Bible gives us a few ways to live free from anxiety. One of the primary ways is by controlling what we focus on: Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
One of the keys to living free from anxiety is to control what we think about. There is much bad news in the world. We are bombarded with it every day – when we turn on the news or the TV, bad news is waiting to steal our peace and joy and make us anxious. However, we have a choice whether to give our attention to the bad news or focus on God and on whatever is pure, lovely, or commendable, as Philippians 4:8 says.
The Bible says that when we keep our eyes fixed on God, He will keep us in perfect peace: Isaiah 26:3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. When we are anxious, we need to turn our focus on Jesus Christ, who will give us peace, and anxiousness will no longer weigh us down.
Also, let us speak good words to others around us as we have the opportunity. Our words can either tear down or build up – heal or harm. We choose what we release out of our mouths. We can impact other people’s lives positively by speaking life-giving words. When we find someone who is discouraged, downtrodden, or even anxious, this is the best time to speak words of life that can bring hope to that person.
Just by speaking a word from the heart of God, that person could be lifted out from the pit of anxiety and be encouraged to keep on pressing on in life! What a great honor and privilege it is to speak a good word at the right time!
Prayer
Mighty God, I thank You for giving me Your Word as a lamp unto my feet. Help me focus on what develops peace inside of me rather than what makes me anxious.
I desire to be a beacon of hope and an example to everyone I meet. Whether that is by simply displaying your peace or by speaking words that bring life. I commit myself to you right now as a vessel to be used to build others up. I pray this all in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen!
