A Word Fitly Spoken
"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in
pitchers of silver." (Proverbs 5:11)
We all have experienced, either personally or observing it in others, how
just a word at the right time and place, can change the entire atmosphere of
a conversation, or change the attitude of a person who is angry, hurt or
grieving.
"The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know
how to speak a word in season to him that is weary." (Is. 50:4)
"A word in season", that is the learned part. To know the right "season", or
time. Some of us are not learned, or have not consulted the Lord about a
subject or situation and therefore, speak "a word out of season" and can
have a devastating effect.
The spoken word is a powerful tool. Just look how our former president has
used words to remove himself from a situation which could have meant the end
of his career. But instead, being a master at using words, he's exalted
himself and catapulted himself into the next millennium, who knows to what
heights.
In Genesis, the first chapter, God spoke the world, even the entire
Universe, into existence. God said….., God said….., God said, etc, etc.
Words, mere words, yet the entire Universe came into being when God spoke.
Jewish fathers, I have heard, make it a habit to bless each of their
children daily by laying their hand on their head and speaking a blessing
over them as they leave their home; because they know the power of the
spoken word.
We know know in our own lives, we can either tear a person down, (James 3:2,
5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 is a good teaching on the power of the tongue, hence
the spoken word), or we can build up a person with "a word fitly spoken".
Rom. 14:19 says "Let us therefore follow after the things which make for
peace, and things with which one may edify."
"Let everyone of us please his neighbor for his good to edification (or
with the result of lifting his spirits)." (Rom 15:2)
"It is the Spirit that quickens; the flesh profits nothing; the words
that I speak to you, they are spirit, and they are life." (John 6:63)
"But the word is very near to you, in your mouth, and in your heart, that
you may do it." (Deut.30:14)
"I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set
before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that
both thou and they seed may live." (Deut 30:19)
"A word fitly spoken" as Solomon taught in Proverbs, "is like
apples of gold and pitchers of silver".
Prayer: Father let us speak words of tenderness; words of edification to our
friends and family; let us seek to build them up in spirit and not destroy
them with a "word out of season". Words can be devastating or they can be
"apples of gold or pitchers of silver". But they can also hurt when spoken
with a hateful, mean spirit. Lord give me the ability to speak with a
learned and sweet spirit and knowing mind. In Jesus name, amen.
By Nell Berry 2/18/09