Articles
A Work of Art
We are familiar with the saying that “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Solomon shows in Proverbs 25:11 how one word spoken at the right time, in the right way can create the perfect picture. The key word in the passage is “fitly.” The Hebrew word for “fitly” (ΚΌôphen) comes from an unused root meaning to revolve or turn and signifies a circle or the passing of time (i.e. a season). Hence, Solomon is describing what it looks like when a word is spoken in its own time, or in the right circumstances. This is the idea expressed in Proverbs 15:23 – “A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, and a word spoken in due season, how good it is!”
To speak a word “in due season” requires something of the one speaking. In a chapter commonly applied to the Messiah, Isaiah 50:3a says, “The Lord God has given Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary.” This verse reminds us that delivering the right words at the right time and in the right way is something learned. As Christians, to speak a word in due season requires us to have knowledge of our speech in three areas.
All speech begins with our choice of words. When it comes to speaking a word in due season, being elaborate and verbose is not helpful. Proverbs 17:27 says, “He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.” There is something appealing about one who says the right thing in the right way and nothing more.
As Christians, our words can lead to sin, and there is wisdom in restraining our speech (Proverbs 10:19). A word spoken in due season requires not only the right quantity, but also quality. Ecclesiastes 9:17 says, “Words of the wise, spoken quietly, should be heard rather than the shout of a ruler of fools.” The verse reminds me of a commercial for E.F. Hutton in 1970s, where a room full of loud people are all talking about their investment brokers. Then one person says, “Well, my broker is E.F. Hutton, and E.F. Hutton says,” and then everyone gets quiet and leans in to hear the conversation. The commercial would end with “When E.F. Hutton talks, people listen.” There is power in the right words, spoken softly, at the right time.
Speaking a word in due season requires us to be aware of the influence of our words. In Colossians 4:6, Paul writes, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” The reference to salt conveys the influence followers of Jesus Christ have on others (Matthew 5:13). Paul exhorts these brethren to focus not only on what they say, but how they say it. The comparison to salt shows how our speech is seasoning to society, medicine to the soul, and a preservative to others. As seasoning, our words should result in an improved outcome and enhance the lives of those around us (Mark 9:50). As medicine, our speech should provide a stark contrast to the world and retard the growth of sin much like salt retards the growth of yeast (Matthew 16:6,12). As a preservative, our speech should be a constructive force for God’s will in the lives of others (Genesis 45:5-7). When our words are spoken in due season, our impact can go well beyond the intended audience (Proverbs 29:2).
The most important part of knowing how to speak a word in due season is understanding the effect our words have upon the recipient personally. While this can be difficult to know for certain, verbal and non-verbal reactions can give us a clue. Scripture tells us that our words can be used to deliver sweetness to the soul (Proverbs 16:24) as well as instruction to the hearer (Ecclesiastes 12:11). Solomon compares words of instruction to goads and well-driven nails – goads because they motivate the hearer to do the right thing, and well-driven nails because they remain fixed in one’s memory. Have you ever come away from a conversation and thought to yourself, “Wow! That person knew exactly the right thing to say and the right way to say it.” Did you find yourself still uplifted days or weeks later, long after the conversation had ended? It can be easy to think that such a trait is a matter of ability or talent. However, Proverbs 25:11 tells us we can all be artists.
Thankfully, we have examples in Scripture of what real art looks like. Abigail sought to abate the anger of David against her evil husband through gifts of food and a word spoken in due season: “And it shall come to pass, when the Lord has done for my lord according to all the good that He has spoken concerning you, and has appointed you ruler over Israel, that this will be no grief to you, nor offense of heart to my lord, either that you have shed blood without cause, or that my lord has avenged himself” (1 Samuel 25:30-31). David’s reaction as the future king of Israel showed the impact of her words: “Blessed is your advice and blessed are you, because you have kept me this day from coming to bloodshed and from avenging myself with my own hand” (1 Samuel 25:33).
When a centurion asked Jesus to heal his servant, Jesus offered to go to the servant, but the centurion said, “Only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,” and he does it” (Matthew 8:8-9). Jesus marveled at the centurion and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” (Matthew 8:10).
So, how do we communicate words that are more fitly spoken? The key is understanding that our thoughts are the source of our words. Jesus told the Pharisees, “But those things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man” (Matthew 15:18). The fruit of our lips and our lives are an indicator of what is in our heart (Luke 6:43). To improve what is in our heart, we must focus on those things that are noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).
In a world with so much negativity and bad news, this can be difficult. However, if we dedicate ourselves to thoughts that lead to words more fitly spoken and remain self-aware of our choice of words, the influence of our words, and the effect upon the recipient, then our speech will be more beautiful than any Rembrandt or Renoir could ever be.
