Golden Apples on a Silver Platter

​We now live in a time where up is down, right is wrong, and black is white, where vices are praised and moral standards are a sign of weakness. As a result, people see it as praiseworthy to simply speak one’s mind and let the chips fall where they may.  I have heard people defend this kind of behavior by saying, “Well at least with me, you know where I stand.  You don’t have to wonder what I’m thinking because I’ll tell you,” never considering the ramifications and the consequences of their words.  Or worse, not caring.  Sadly, this is why so many marriages don’t last.  Too many carry this way of thinking and communicating into their marriage, only to cause irreversible damage.  Proverbs 25:11 reminds us, however, that “a word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.”  What a beautiful sight to behold!  Imagine seeing that as a center piece!  Apples of gold on a silver platter!  Proverbs 25:11 reminds us that just because something is true, that doesn’t mean it needs to be spoken.  Some thoughts are far better left unspoken.  And when we do speak, we should think before we speak.  We should carefully choose our words because a word spoken is like toothpaste—once it’s out of the tube, there is no putting it back.  Often we are simply left with trying to clean up the mess.  Today, let’s practice thinking before we speak and choosing our words carefully.  Let’s do our best for God’s glory to present with our words golden apples on a silver platter.  Words that will be pleasing to the ears and easy on the heart.