“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