The Power Of Right Words At The Right Time Series

The Power of Right Words

“A word spoken at the right time is like gold apples on a silver tray.” Proverbs 25:11

Words, when well chosen, have so great a force in them that a description often gives us more lively ideas than the sight of things themselves. — Joseph Addison.

The words of our mouth have control over our lives, whether we like it or not, or whether we believe it or not. What comes out of our mouth will determine our future. As a rudder controls the direction of a ship, your tongue controls the direction of your life. God made man to be a steward not only over the earth but over his own mouth as well. We are our own prophets. What we say today impacts our tomorrow. Words have the power to change things for good or ill. The success and enduring influence of any systematic construction of truth, depends as much upon an exact vocabulary, as upon close and deep thinking itself. Indeed, unless the results to which the human mind arrives are plainly stated, and firmly fixed in an exact terminology, its thinking is to very little purpose in the end.

The book of Proverbs has a lot to say about our tongue. They are, after all, the wisdom to life. However, what comes out of our mouths is the result of what we have put in our hearts. According to Solomon, life and death are in the power of the tongue. This is why Bible says A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver - - Is like the refreshing orange or beautiful citron, served up in open work or filigree baskets, made of silver.” in other words The right word spoken at the right time is as beautiful as gold apples in a silver bowl. Just glance through few choice scriptures from the book of Proverbs:

“The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences”. (Proverbs 18:21)

“Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.”(Proverbs 13:3)

“A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.” (Proverbs 20:19)

“Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.” (Proverbs 16:24)

Joseph Conrad said “Give me the right word and the right accent and I will move the world.”

Job said "How forcible are right words!" (Job 6:25) Every single one of us can stop and think how good we have felt when someone has spoken words of love, encouragement, and edification to us. Words can cut right through you like a knife, and when those words are positive and constructive, they can have an incredible way of building up your own sense of self-esteem, self-worth, and self-confidence.

One of the verses listed above says that Pleasant words can literally be health to our bones. In other words, good and positive words can give you better physical health as a result of the boost your immune system will receive. However, just the reverse is also possible. If all a child ever hears from his parents as they are growing up are stern and abusive words of condemnation, criticism, and negativity – then that child’s self-esteem and self-worth can be severely affected if it is not properly counter-balanced by other people in his life who will speak out the right kinds of words of love and encouragement to him.

If a child does not get properly watered with words of love and encouragement from his own parents during his early growing years in the family, then sooner or later he will end up believing in all of the lies of his parents as a result of their constant bombardments – and he will then end up growing up thinking that he will never be good enough to amount to anything worthwhile.

The Bible tells us that our words are so powerful that they can bless or curse, encourage or discourage, hurt or heal, tear down or build up. Our words can even influence the way we act and feel as well as determine our attitude and outlook on life...” No matter what it is we are attempting to communicate, getting our point across starts with choosing our words wisely. Our words have the potential to either give life or cause something to die in another person, so use wisdom. Moreover, be certain that we speak without hatred and without intending to invoke anger or negative emotions in another person. Allowing our emotions to rule our verbal responses is the ticket to provoking offense in others. The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.

Anger and frustration is not an excuse for speaking negatively to someone. Especially when we know that our words could hurt the other person. The Bible says, " Understand this, my beloved brothers: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” (James 1:19). If you are in a tense or frustrating situation, take a moment to listen before responding. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you keep your emotions in check. As people of God, we have the responsibility to speak with wisdom and understand the value of Pleasant words.