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As Apostle James wrote, the tongue is a small part of our body, yet it wields great power. Like a small rudder that steers a large ship (James 3:4-5). Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!” Great power can be used for good works, or for bad works. The same applies to a tongue, it can bring good words, or bad words (James 3:10). “Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.”

The Bible tells us clearly what not to say. Don’t swear or curse, don’t use God’s name in vain, don’t lie (bear false witness), don’t cause hurt, don’t provoke anger, don’t tempt. Exodus 20:7 “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” Exodus 20:16 “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.” Proverbs 15:1 “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” Colossians 3:8 “But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.” James 1:19 “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”

Bad words are spoken as a result of inner feelings like wrath, fear, jealousy, pride, and envy. Controlling our feelings and what we say is an essential part of being a new man or creation in Christ. Apostle Paul’s writings in Colossians 3:10 and onwards tells us what this means. “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him”.

Jesus Christ teaches on the different ways we can speak, and that it is the inner man (our heart) that dictates this. Matthew 12:35-37. “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.  For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” The words we speak reflect where our hearts are. They are like fruits that show what kind of tree.

This Word of Life text, Proverbs 25:11, likens a word fitly spoken to a fruit so splendorous that it can only be described as an apple of gold set in silver. Rather than telling us what not to say, this proverb is prompting us to say something good and appropriate and timely (when it is needed).

The golden apples we need to be ready to share are many and diverse: words to encourage, to make peace, to share joy, to comfort, to testify of our Faith.

• Proverbs 15:1, gentle words to stop a disagreement turning to violent words or actions.
• James 4:15, display humbleness and testify our dependence on God in all things.
• James 5:16, say sorry
• Proverbs 15:23, share joy
• 1 Peter 3:15, be ready for those opportunities to testify of your hope (Jesus Christ), do this in a loving way. It need not be a sermon.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:18, comfort those who mourn, or those who dread the happenings in this world.

Timeliness is so important; we all miss opportunities. We walk away in silence, later a voice inside tells us, “You missed a chance to help with some simple words”. If we reflect on this in sincere regret, pray to God and He will provide us another opportunity to use His Word.