Some of us have no shortage of words to speak:  our minds, our piece, our approval, our objections, etc.  Words are so powerful!  A “fit wordly spoken” can dump one in the emotional gutter and do damage that cannot easily be undone, or a “word fitly spoken” can pull one up, ‘make their day’ and create precious memories.

Have you noticed a “fit wordly spoken” is filled to overflowing with words.  When a “fit” is progress, it’s nearly impossible to “fit” a word in edgeways with a hammer and a chisel.  Furthermore, if there is a lull in the fit of words, it seems that the ears have shut down so no incoming words can enter.  Observations aren’t to be focused only on the other fellow’s ‘fit wordly spoken.’  We are all subject to a ‘fit wordly spoken’ if we don’t allow the Holy Spirit to be in control. 

Which do we want to do?  Edify, encourage, uplift, cause a smile—or—a put-down, cause emotional upheaval, pain, and distress?  We have a choice; we can do either.  Words have a beginning, a source.  Jesus reminds us:

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil:  for of the abundance of the heart; his mouth speaketh” (Luke 6:45).

What we have uploaded into our ears and minds will be downloaded into our hearts.  Our hearts will then output what has lodged there through the mouth channel.

David knew about the heart’s contents and its spoken consequence when he penned, “The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.  The law of his God is in his heart…” (Psalm 37:30-31).

Words hold the power of life and death.

King Ahasuerus had heeded the ‘fit wordly spoken’ of Haman and issued a decree that would eliminate Mordecai of whom Haman was insanely jealous.  The order was to kill all the Jews in Ahasuerus’ kingdom which would include Mordecai; and unfortunately, Esther, his niece, whom the king had chosen as his queen.  The plot became known to the queen; and after a time of fasting, she said, “…I will go in unto the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16).

Esther knew that you just did not approach the king, on pain of death, unless he has summoned you; but she also knew that her people would perish if she did not give the king some “words fitly spoken.”  He invited her into his presence.  The matter concluded positively for her and the Jewish people who were living under King Ahasuerus’ rule.  When he learned of the devious plot of Haman, the king commanded the fate he had planned for the Jews to fall upon Haman’s own life and his household.

A word from Satan enticed Eve to partake of the forbidden fruit; and a word from her lured Adam to do the same.  This word brought sin into the world that infected the whole human race.  Then a word from God sent His only begotten Son to redeem fallen mankind.

A word from Moses, at God’s command, filled Egypt with plagues; and another word from him cleared them away (Exodus 8).

A “fit wordly spoken” is really a heart issue.   What is in the heart will flow into the channel of the mouth and leave a putrid residue.  By the same token, a “word fitly spoken” issues from the heart that contains wisdom and grace and deposits an aroma of Love.

“I’m just telling it like it is.”   “The truth will stand when the world’s on fire.”  I am sure you have heard similar excuses for speaking harsh words that cut and destroy.  Isn’t it a good thing God doesn’t look at each of us and “Tell it like it is or utter the truth” of what is in our past!  Or even what is transpiring in our minds at the moment.  We don’t have to speak or act out what invades our mind.  When our ears hear what we say, it reinforces it and pilots the words toward our hearts.

Oh, that we could look through eyes of love like God does as we peer into other’s lives!

In God’s eyes, we have no past!  He sees our birth certificate which recorded our new birth in His “Lamb’s Book of Life.”

Pilate held the life of Jesus in his words.  His word released Barabbas to the frenzied mob and crucified Jesus.  What powerful words!

It is pathetic to stand in line at the grocery store and see the headlines on magazines which depict what is happening, negatively, in the lives of famous people.  No doubt a lot of it is factual, but sometimes when the truth emerges, many lies and reporter imaginations have constructed the story.  One wonders what would happen if “first stones” were hurled by those purported to be “without sin.” 

“A soft answer [words fitly spoken] turneth away wrath: but grievous words [fit wordly spoken] stir up anger” (Proverbs 15:1).  Retaining words during anger is an attribute that can save retributive words and bring about a peaceful conclusion.  There is a time to speak and a time to be silent!   (Ecclesiastes 3:7).

“The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy” (Psalm 103:8).  Let us cultivate that God-like trait!

We, as Christians, are called to be renovators not demolitionists.

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise” (Proverbs 11:30).  Who would not enjoy being called “wise”!  Names label us.  We can determine what our label will be by our actions.  And why not give someone else a label to “live UP to.”

God’s Word is so very powerful!  “He sent His Word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction” (Psalm 107.20).  He spoke the world into existence.  “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God…” (Hebrews 11:3).

“He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city” (Proverbs 16:32).

Doesn’t that echo, “It’s your choice; it’s your choice.”  We are the rulers of our choices and the recipients of the consequences, and sometimes the consequences flow outward to others. 

To help us make good choices, God’s Word advises us upon what we should meditate:

Things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report.  These are the things we should “think on” (Philippians 4:8).  Remember, what we put in our minds, tunnels itself into our hearts and finds its way out our mouths.  To rule our mouths, we have to rule our minds, how we think.  To implement a godly, constructive thought life, we can take advice from Psalm 119:11:  “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  How does the Word get hidden in our heart?  By the route of our eyes and ears that put thoughts in our mind to be assimilated by the heart.

“The mind of the [uncompromisingly] righteous studies how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things” (Proverbs 15:28 Amplified Bible).

Someone has said, “Make my words sweet and tender today, for I may have to eat them tomorrow.”  That is a good summation.  If we slip up and allow a “fit wordly spoken” to take place, there are steps to take to begin to rectify the situation.

“When angry, do not sin; do not ever let your wrath [your exasperation, your fury or indignation] last until the sun goes down” (Ephesians 4:26 Amplified Bible).  Do you wonder why Paul taught that anger should not go past sundown?  Paul was thinking like a Jew, and the Jewish day began at sundown; and if anger went past that point, it was being carried into anther day.  So, essentially, we are instructed to take care of whatever provisions are necessary to clear up all misunderstanding on the same day they happen—as much as lies in our ability.  The longer we wait, the less tender our words become, making them tougher to eat.  The most savory way to eat our words is to say, “I am sorry!” and mean it.

So, how can be be an over-comer of a “fit wordly spoken”?  Jesus told the Philadelphia church, “I know your [record of] works and what you are doing.  See!  I have set before you a door wide open which no one is able to shut; I know that you have but little power, and yet you have KEPT MY WORD [emphasis mine] and guarded My message and have not renounced or denied My name” (Revelation 3:8).  “Kept My Word.”  Our words are to be underwritten by His Word.  Hidden deep within our hearts, we can keep His Word; He will take notice and keep us!

I remember my Mother repeating the phrase, “Actions speak louder than words” many times as we were growing up.  It made a lasting impression on me, and I have found that the Bible backs up her admonition to “put feet to our words.”  1 John 3:18 instructs us, “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”  When the heart has entrenched in it the right words, they will be available when our mouth needs them and when our actions need to match them.

Words were so important to the scribes who copied scripture that they had to count each letter on each line of the original and match them with the copy.  They had to get it right.  Can we take a clue from that and count (measure) our words to be sure they are the right ones to be uttered and that the time is right to say them?  Just as feathers in the wind can’t be collected and stuffed back into the pillow, our spoken words will forever ring in the ears of those we give them to.  May they be sweet and tender!

“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works” (Hebrews 10:24).  Provocation consists of words, oral or written.  Write notes of love and encouragement; speak words filled with kindness and affection.

"Hold your spirit in a tight hand...watch eye and lip, thought and wish, lest any break from the restraining cords of self-control." (Tried by Fire, F.B. Meyer).

May we allow our words to be filtered through God’s mind and our deeds match them!

OK.  By now you know that (to my knowledge) there is no such word as “wordly.”  I already knew that and now you know that I knew.  I could have used “wordy” which is a good word, but not as poetic in this case.  I hope you have indulged me in my “wordly” coinage of a word and can take to heart the real intent of my words.

God bless you as you use “a word fitly spoken.”