Dear Readers in Christ, "Draw near to GOD, and He will draw near to you" (James 4:8).

Friday 16 August 2013

Aug 16 - HOW TO SPEAK

 “The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: He wakeneth morning by morning, He wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned” (Isa 50:4).


Jesus had the “tongue of the learned”; therefore “gracious words … proceeded out of His mouth.” Of Him we read of people saying things like, “Never man spake like this man,” and “How knoweth this man letters, having never learned ?” (Jn 7:46&15). True, our Lord never learned the way other men learn, and that was why He never spoke as other men did!

Many children of God may know what to speak; however, only few know how to speak. Words of love or encouragement spoken in a harsh tone could result in discouragement and bitterness. Jesus knew how to speak.

The Samaritan woman was in no mood to admit her vices or confess her sins, and she tried to cover up everything by telling an utter lie – “I have no husband!” Instead of accusing her or condemning her, the Lord very wisely answered, “Thou hast had five husbands, and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: IN THAT SAIDST THOU TRULY” (Jn 4:17,18). Instead, if He had said, “What you are saying is a lie. I am a prophet. I know you have had five husbands,” the woman would not have changed, though what Jesus said would have been certified as right and proper. “A WORD FITLY SPOKEN is like apples of gold in pictures of silver”(Prov 25:11).

“To speak a word IN SEASON” we should not only know how to speak, but also when to speak. Jesus was careful not to speak of glorious things to the disciples when Judas Iscariot was with them. “THEREFORE, when HE WAS GONE OUT, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified …” and disclosed many other glorious hidden truths. How many problems have cropped up just because we did not speak in season! “A word spoken in due season, how good is it!” (Prov 15:23).

           “A careless word may kindle strife;

            A cruel word may wreck a life;

            A bitter word may hate instill;

            A brutal word may smite and kill;

           A gracious word may smooth the way;

           A joyous word may light the day;

           A timely word may lessen stress;

           A loving word may heal and bless.”

– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion

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