A FITLY SPOKEN WORD -- MONDAY:
A word "fitly spoken " is one aptly, or appropriately, spoken. It is one that is fitting, or suitable, for the occasion or circumstance. It is a proper word that meets the need at hand. Elsewhere Solomon said, "A word spoken in due season, how good is it!" (Prov 15:23). And again, "As cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a far country" (Prov 25:25). There are times when a word–something said–is more valuable then anything else. Our words can, indeed, be precious gifts when they are "fitly spoken"–when they are said at the right time.
Such words are like "apples of gold in pictures of silver." Apples of gold, or golden apples, are ripe and succulent ones–beautiful to the eye, and nourishing to the body. That would appear to be adequate for describing appropriate words–"words fitly spoken." But it is not. Such words are like golden apples in a surrounding of silver, or "settings of silver" (NKJV). Such a container serves to accent the succulent apples, drawing our attention to them.
The most acceptable words of all are those that are "written" in God's Word. Solomon indicated this when he wrote, "The Preacher sought to find acceptable words; and what was written was upright; words of truth" (Eccl 12:10). More is found in those words than Solomon intended. God used him to make a statement that opened the door to an exceedingly large room of thought. Never are our words more appropriate than when we speak the Word of God with insight and understanding. How often Jesus said, "It is written . . . " (Matt 4:4; 11:10; 21:13; 26:31; John 6:45). The Word of God is to have a prominent place in our speaking.
Isaiah spoke of one who was given the ability to speak a timely word to the person who was weary, whose life had become a burden. "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" (Isa 50:4). In the ultimate sense, this referred to the Lord Jesus. The verses that follow confirm this to be the case. "The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting" (vs 5-6).
How sweet were the words of the Lord Jesus to those with ears to hear. Do you remember how they sounded to many? After His first message in Nazareth it is said of the people, "And all bare Him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth" (Lk 4:22). It is said of His teaching, "And they were astonished at his doctrine: for His word was with power" (Lk 4:32). Whether He addressed His words to His disciples, the devil, demons, the multitudes, or His critics, they were always "words fitly spoken"–appropriate for the time and suitable for contemplation.
The children of God are admonished concerning appropriate words. In speaking of conduct befitting of saints, there are some things that are not to be found among us: "neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks" (Eph 5:4, NKJV). Such words are NOT "fitly spoken," and are to be excluded from our vocabulary. Suggestive language and shady innuendoes are "not fitting" among believers.
Words "fitly spoken" are seasoned with savors from heaven. As it is written, "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one" (Col 4:6, NKJV). Our manner of speech is always to be marinated, as it were, in grace. The manner in which we talk is to be cultured, or developed, in the environment of the grace of God. Grace does have a way of affecting our speech–of changing the way we talk, and the words we use to communicate.
A most remarkable thing is brought out by this verse. Proper speech, or "words fitly spoken," brings a knowledge of how to respond to each person we confront: "so that you may know how you should respond to each person" (NASB). This is an area in which most of us could improve for the glory of God. Sometimes not knowing what to say is too easily explained away. We may be tempted to think our speechlessness is merely a result of our timidity, or because the person addressing us is unworthy of a response. Perhaps it is true in some cases. I am convinced, however, that many times it is because our speech has not been seasoned with grace, and thus we cannot give an appropriate word–"words fitly spoken."
Our speech is much like a container of fruit. The container can be inferior or superior–like "silver." The fruit can be rotten fruit, or refreshing and nourishing fruit –"golden apples." Let us master our speech for the glory of God and the benefit of those who hear us.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus and with Isaiah the prophet, I ask for "the tongue of disciples, That I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word."