Gospel Gazette Online
Volume 25 Number 3 March 2023
Page 11

A Word Fitly Spoken

Ernest S. Underwood

Ernest S. UnderwoodText:

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

Introduction:

  1. There is a little poem which we have all heard: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”
  2. Of course, we all know this is not true.
  3. In this lesson we shall study different words by different ones.

Discussion:

  1. There are the words of Satan.
    1. His words in the Garden of Eden.
    2. His words in the temptation of Jesus.
    3. His are words of deceit. Paul to Elymas: “O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord?” (Acts 13:10 NKJV).
  2. There are words of slander.
    1. Again, in Eden Satan slandered God. “For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:5).
    2. Jeremiah’s enemies said, “…Let us attack him with the tongue…” (Jeremiah 18:18).
    3. The religious leaders attempted to slander Jesus by referring to Him as “the carpenter’s son” (Matthew 15:55).
  3. There are words that save.
    1. Mark 16:15-16.
    2. “And they said, ‘Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you’” (Acts 10:22).
    3. “And he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, ‘Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter, who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved’” (Acts 11:13-14).
  4. There are persuasive words.
    1. Acts 26:28.
    2. “Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences” (2 Corinthians 5:11).
    3. “And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (1 Corinthians 2:4).
    4. “Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words” (Colossians 2:4).
  5. There are wholesome and sound words.
    1. “If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness” (1 Timothy 6:3).
    2. “Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 1:13).
  6. There are deceptive, swelling and malicious words.
    1. “By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber” (2 Peter 2:3).
    2. “These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage” (Jude 1:16).
    3. “Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words” (3 John 1:10).
  7. There are words of life. “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life” (Acts 5:20).

Conclusion:

  1. Again, Solomon said, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”
  2. Jesus also stated, “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:37).
  3. Are you listening to the words of life and salvation?
  4. Are your words, words that are fitly spoken?
  5. Appeal.

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