There are people who strive to cover the transgressions of others and there are people who make other people's lives difficult by pointing out their shortcomings and mistakes on the spot or speaking disparaging words against them. Depending on the degree of the goodness of each person's heart, words uttered are different from person to person. Pleasant and good words give strength and courage to the weary and restore the soul, but evil words can leave behind permanent scars in the heart. Keeping in mind that even a lighthearted joke can hurt others, we must be able to utter each word with utmost caution.

"Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones" (Proverbs 16:24).

From Rev. Dr. Jaerock Lee's column "The Way" carried on the daily newspaper, The JoongAng Daily