Jump Start # 983

Proverbs 25:11 “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”

The right word spoken the right way at the right time can do so much good. It can encourage a weary soul who is ready to quit. It can strengthen and turn a doubting heart. It can express appreciation and thankfulness to  one who feels like no one cares or recognizes all the work that has been done. A word fitly spoken. A word that fits.

Some words do not fit. Some words tear down. Some words destroy. Some words bring gloom and doubt. Bad news will do that. The news of a marriage that failed will do that. The news of one who has quit the spiritual walk will do that. Some seem to thrive in the spreading of bad news. Our passage talks about the right word. A word that was thought out. A word that was given some consideration. A word that is thought to help. The right word.

Our passage speaks of apples of gold in settings of silver. Golden apples. I have always imagined a painting that was mostly silver in color. Right in the middle of the painting was a bowl of gold apples. Your eye would be drawn to the gold apples. They would stand out. You would remember that. The fitly spoken word is like that. It stands out. It is something that you remember. It is something that has helped you.

Consider some fitly spoken words:

The genuine compliment would be one. We can throw out compliments that seem shallow and cheap, and do not express much value. We can also take the time to express the good and appreciation that someone has done for us. Compliments are like syrup on pancakes. Too much syrup and it’s no good. Not enough and something is missing. But when it’s just right, there is nothing like it. Compliments are the same way. Too much and it seems shallow and vain. Not enough and it seems that someone is being taken for granted. But just right, it does a soul good. We need to give compliments and we need to be able to receive compliments. I find that it is easier to give than to receive in this area. Some folks deflate a compliment. You express appreciation for a fine meal and some will excuse away the compliment by saying it was nothing. When someone compliments you, they are showing appreciation and expressing thankfulness for what you have done. Tell them thank you in return. Saying “thank you” to airline attendants, those that serve in hotels and restaurants, and even to the guy who cleans up the movie theatre between shows is like apples of gold to folks you don’t receive much appreciation.

The word of truth is another fitly spoken word. Sometimes that word comes as a gentle correction. A child needs to be corrected because of an attitude problem or being sassy, someone misstates something about God, someone makes an error in a speech or sermon—kindly correcting them helps them. Remember, the word is to be fitly spoken. Correction to be right, must fit. Our attitude, our tone, has much to do with whether or not the word fits or is right. Correcting someone, as the Bible teaches, must be done with gentleness. Some forget that. They think if someone is wrong, especially doctrinally, the gloves come off, and the sword comes out, and what happens next doesn’t matter, because I told him the truth. Really? Is that a word that fits? Even in correction, there is a right way and a wrong way. May we always seek the right way.

Prayer is another fitly spoken word. Prayer is a soul talking with God. Prayer, when offered with the right motives, attitudes and heart is most fitting. Prayer is reaching out to God. Prayer is inviting God’s will into our life. Prayer is seeking God. It includes asking, thanking, seeking, and begging for mercy.

There’s never a place that prayer doesn’t fit.

Words that fit. God wants us to be using those words. Toss out the words that do not fit. Give thought to what you say. Old timers used to say that God gave us two ears and one mouth and that ought to remind us to listen more than we speak. That’s hard for some of us, including the guy writing this. Some of us are always talking. We must realize that not everything fits. You know what it’s like when something doesn’t fit. You are going on a trip and you have so many clothes that they won’t fit in your suitcase. That’s a problem. You are traveling and you have more stuff than will fit in your car. At Thanksgiving, if we are not careful, we can eat so much that not another bite will fit in. We call that being stuffed. Square pegs will not fit in round holes. The advice of a fool doesn’t fit with those who want to walk with God.

God wants you to look for words that fit. The right word for the right setting. That’s hard. I’ve stood by many family members at the funeral home. Some people say dumb things. They don’t know what to say but feel compelled to say something. Most times what they say doesn’t fit. It would be better to simply say, “I’m sorry,” and give a hug. That’s the best you can do. Some are nosey. They want to know if you are going to stay in the house, they want to know if they left you any life insurance, they want to know how much the funeral costs, they want to know what you are going to do with the car the person had—they pry and ask personal stuff, right there standing in line at the funeral home. Those words do not fit.

What is behind all of this is the idea of thinking before you speak. Give thought to what you are saying. Some are gifted at this, and others have to really work at this. Fitted words. That’s what God wants.

I wonder how many have quit going to church services because someone said something that didn’t fit? Instead of helping, it hurt. Instead of inviting, it closed doors. Instead of being Christ-like, it was selfish and rude.

Fitted words. We need them in our marriages, with the kids, at work, among brethren and just about everywhere. Work at that. Some things simply do not fit. Don’t force them.

Roger