Words of Beauty, Ears that Hear
SUSAN BENNETT|GUEST Our words can either wound or bless, but Scripture shows us a better way. God calls us to speak truth with beauty, grace, and wisdom—and to cultivate ears that truly hear. We have all been guilty of saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. My mother-in-law used to say in one of those moments, “Open mouth, insert foot!” When that happens, it can range anywhere from a simple embarrassment to the wounding of a relationship. Have you noticed how Christian women are often made examples in comedy routines to promote laughter about this very thing? The problem is, it really is no laughing matter at all—especially if you are on the receiving end of a word that is not fitly spoken. What We Say Matters I want us, however, to focus on the positive: God’s truth spoken rightly and at just the right time. Proverbs 25:11–13 says: “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear. Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.”...
