Proverbs 10:11 says, “Like a fountain of water, the words of a good person give life.”

“I think this Proverb means that you are always walking with a big pot of water over your head,” says Tori, 8. “Jesus is going to pour that big pot on your head when you are ready. That special water is called living water.”

I can guarantee that Tori’s interpretation won’t be found in any Bible commentary, but it does provide food for thought or, in this case, water for a bath.

The word “baptize” comes from the idea of immersing one thing into another so that the two are identified with each other. Anyone who drinks of the living water (believes in Jesus as savior) is placed immediately into union with Christ. This dry baptism is called “the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5).

If the words of the good person contain the living water of the gospel, Tori’s water pots contain symbolic application. However, Hanah, 6, offers another interpretation: “Whenever somebody wants to ride my bike, I can say OK.”

Try looking at requests as opportunities instead of intrusions. Be grateful that someone thought enough of you to ask for something.

“Whenever my mama and daddy say kind words to me, I feel happy,” says Kelsey, 6.

Like yeast that makes dough rise, parents’ encouraging words leaven their children’s lives to develop character assets that lead to success. Just a few words at the right time can make the difference between success and failure. Like little flowers, children yearn to bask in the sunshine of life-giving words from loving parents.

“If someone is always nice to you, and they always tell you the truth, then you can trust them,” says Morgan, 8. “It is like water, very cold water, and you know it will be good to drink. But if someone doesn’t tell the truth, then you can’t trust him. It is like water that you know is hot, and it won’t be good to drink.”

Talking to liars is like drinking hot water on a hot day. It’s refreshing to talk to someone who always tells the truth, but talking to a liar is exhausting. It takes a lot of work to figure out if you’re being deceived. Skilled attorneys charge high fees to prove someone is lying.

“To live, you must have water,” says Chelsie. “You would die without water. If you don’t have encouraging words in your life, or someone to build you up, you will probably die of loneliness.”

After Jesus had fasted for 40 days, Satan tempted him to turn stones into bread. Jesus resisted by quoting Scripture: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4; Deuteronomy 8:3).

Have you ever considered speaking the Word of God to someone for encouragement? Make sure you speak it to yourself first. If your life doesn’t reflect the spiritual reality to which the Scriptures point, quoting Bible verses to others may sound hollow.

“A good person gives advice and encourages you when you are down,” says Kristin, 12. “They lift you up and give you life. You should always try to lift people up or give them life just like water. Water gives plants life. A good person gives life when they encourage you or gives water to you for life.”

Think about this: Jesus promised a reward for a cup of cold water given in his name. Think about the reward for speaking encouraging words in his name.

Memorize this truth: “Like a fountain of water, the words of a good person give life” (Proverbs 10:11).

Ask this question: Who can you refresh today by speaking words of encouragement?

Carey Kinsolving is a syndicated columnist, producer, author, speaker and website developer. To see more articles like this one, visit http://www.KidsTalkAboutGod.org/ColumnArchive.aspx The Kids Talk About God website contains free, online content for children and families. See CareyÂ’s Kid TV Interviews. Print free lessons from the “Kids Color Me Bible” and make your own book. Let an 11-year-old girl take you on a trip around the world in the Mission Explorers Streaming Video. Print Scripture verses illustrated by child artists. Receive a complimentary, weekly e-mail subscription to our Devotional Bible Lessons.

Bible quotations in this Bible lesson are from the New King James Version.

Copyright 2006 Carey Kinsolving

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