How good is a timely word!

“A person finds joy in giving an apt reply—and how good is a timely word!” (Prov. 15:23 NIV)

Christians should be known for speaking gracious words on God’s behalf! Timely and kind words are powerful and bring healing to the hearer.

Speak wise and gracious words 

 “Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips.” (Eccles. 10:12 NIV) 

“The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.” (Prov. 15:4 NIV)

A good man speaks from good things stored in his heart

“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” (Luke 6:45 NIV)

Therefore…

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (Eph. 4:29 NIV 

Quote

“Imagine what our real neighbors would be like if each of us offered, as a matter of course, just one kind word to another person. There have been so many stories about the lack of courtesy, the impatience of today's world, road rage and even restaurant rage. Sometimes, all it takes is one kind word to nourish another person. Think of the ripple effect that can be created when we nourish someone. One kind empathetic word has a wonderful way of turning into many.”

-        Fred Rogers, The World According to Mister Rogers: Important Things to Remember.