A Word Fitly Spoken/Written

Proverbs 25:11 likens our words fitly spoken to gold apples in silver settings. So, WORDS matter. Whether they are spoken or in a writer’s world, written. They matter.

A recent writer’s conference that I attended had the theme “A Word like Fire”. What you say, and what you write can burn. A woman at the conference likened the burning to the production of ash. Ash can be used for good in soap, for fertilizer and yet at the same time it can be destructive, destroying all it touches. So can our words, in what we say and what we write. It can produce joy and pain. Misunderstandings of actions, coming from different perspectives and speaking rashly can hurt others.

Having experienced both effects, I am re-examining how I speak and write. I pray God puts a watch on my lips, heart and mind, so that what I say and write produces gold for God’s glory.

It won’t be easy. Old habits die hard and I’m sure I will slip up from time to time. But I will persevere, trusting that in the end I will shine for His glory. In that process, there will be dross burned off, it will be painful and yet rewarding as I emerge from the fire.

Have you ever experienced both the pain of joy of words fitly or not fitly spoken/written?