The Right Words At The Right Time

Benjamin Franklin is attributed to having said the following: “Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.” Who among us has not wrestled with the proper use of the tongue? James says that “no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison” (Jas. 3:8). Surrendering to the power of the tongue is not the solution. Any person who thinks himself to be religious must get a handle on his tongue. Otherwise, his religion is worthless (Jas. 1:26).

Though one of life’s great challenges, we must strive to use the gift of speech in a way that glorifies God. Solomon poetically describes the beauty of right speech in these familiar words: “Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances” (Prov. 25:11). But there is also the potential for tremendous harm. Speech can be a two-edged sword. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Prov. 18:21).

James pointed out inconsistencies in speech, saying that with our tongue “we bless our Lord and Father; and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing.” Then, he adds, “My brethren, these things ought not to be this way” (Jas. 3:9-10).

The tongue is tool of inestimable value in building relationships. With the tongue we praise God. With the tongue we tell of His love. With the tongue we lift up the downtrodden. With the tongue we give hope to the discouraged. Our speech is a sacred stewardship that needs constant attention. Any tool, misused and damaged, will become ineffective. When the tongue is used for deceit, it will become useless in sharing the truth. When the tongue is used to tear down others behind their back, it will hardly be effective in the encouragement of others.

Saying the right thing in the right situation is a skill acquired with determined effort. Paul says, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may now how you should respond to each person” (Col. 4:6). A similar admonition is found in Ephesians 4:29 where he writes, “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Appropriate use of speech is not the impossible dream. Jesus provides the key, saying that “the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. The good man out of his good treasure brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings forth what is evil” (Matt. 12:34-35). Concentrate on what you allow into your heart and you will better control what comes out of your mouth.

Glen Eliot