What We Say and How We Say It Matters

“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear. As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: For he refresheth the soul of his masters.” (Proverbs 25:11-13, KJV).

What we say and how we say it really matters. The verses for today’s consideration are taken from a section of the Proverbs that were attributed to Solomon and copied down by the “men of Hezekiah, king of Judah,” we are told in Proverbs 25:1. Hezekiah reigned in Judah from about 716-687 B. C. He initiated many religious reforms and destroyed places of idol worship in his country. The temple in Jerusalem was reopened and Jewish religious rites were renewed. Many of the writings of Solomon, who was the third king of Judah (Saul and David being the first two), and who reigned for forty years beginning about 1000 B. C., were found and copied during Hezekiah’s reign. It is noted that Solomon wrote at least three thousand proverbs and at least a thousand and five songs. It is interesting that Solomon would write of the value of words and how they are said, since he himself was the author of so many words.

In Proverbs 25:11-13, we have a beautiful metaphor about good words. They are as a still-life of golden apples in a silver picture—both rich and symbolic. Many words are like this: words of timely encouragement, words of genuine love, words of sound instruction, words of incisive truth. Even if the words are of reproof for the hearer, if the one who gives them does so in a kindly and helpful manner, the words are like fine golden jewelry or ornaments. And in hot harvest time, if it suddenly turns cool so that the workers are more comfortable, so is a good messenger and his good message to those who sent him and to his hearers. Words matter. And how we deliver our words is likewise important. We are reminded of words from Isaiah 52:7 and repeated by Paul in Romans 10:15: “How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’ “

Words can hurt or heal. James warned that the tongue, though a small member of the body, can start a great fire (see James 3:5-6). Words are powerful. Knowing when to speak and when to listen takes intuition and proper timing. The integrity of the speaker also makes a difference in the power of the spoken word. There is great truth in the adage: “What you do speaks so loudly I cannot hear what you say.” Can we be more cognizant of what we say? A good prayer is: “Help me, Lord, to curb my tongue. May my words be kind and true. Today and every day may my words be ‘like apples of gold in pictures of silver.’ “

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Monday, July 26, 2010