Day 30 – Apples of Gold
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. (Pro 25:11)
Don’t you love Solomon’s style of writing? He had a way of painting a picture for you. Can you just picture in your mind’s eye what apples of gold in pictures of silver look like? But do you really get the true meaning behind it? The whole point of this Proverb is to bring your attention to a word that is fitly spoken and its value. I see these as God’s apples. These apples have much value in God’s eyes. God looks upon the Christian who guards his tongue and makes sure that he always has the words of hope and kindness ready for all to hear.
But why would God pick the word apple? I believe in my heart that He is trying to point us to the fruit of the Spirit. Gold is a valuable and precious metal so this fruit of the Spirit is as valuable to the Christian as gold is to the unbeliever!
There are surely various scenarios in life but each requires that words be fitly spoken. The first scenario I think of is during an argument.
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. (Pro 15:1)
I’m sure you’ll agree that this soft answer qualified as a word fitly spoken. Speaking kindness also qualifies in this category.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. (Pro 31:26)
How about speaking the blessed Gospel to the lost? Oh, how fitly spoken are they?
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: (1Pe 3:15)
But wherever you see something referencing what God loves, you don’t have to go too far in your reading before you find what the world loves. The world’s apples are quite the opposite. The wicked are known for their tongue.
Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit. (Psa 50:19)
His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity. (Psa 10:7)
A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin. (Pro 26:28)
Where do your words fit? Are they apples of gold or apples with worms? As disgusting as this picture looks, I’m sure our Heavenly Father looks upon His children’s unfit words as such. Which would you rather be known for? Someone who spoke kind and uplifting words which the Lord considers as apples of gold? Or someone whose words are unkind, venomous, and filled with worms?
Dear God…
[To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David.]
I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue:
I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.
(Psa 39:1)
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