An Apt Reply

Devotional for 10.17.11

Let’s turn to Proverbs chapter 15 together so we can get wisdom that goes beyond the gold!

AN APT REPLY

A man (woman) finds joy in giving an apt reply –

and how good is a timely word.

Proverbs 15:23

Timing is everything, they say, and according to Proverbs 15:23 there’s special joy when we give an apt and timely word. Maybe that’s because it’s so rare when we say the right thing at just the right time! In haste or frustration we tend to speak too soon or too much. In retrospect we think of the should’ves – Should’ve listened closer, should’ve talked less, should’ve said this, shouldn’t have said that . . .

How do we gain wisdom on giving an apt reply? One of the ways is to look to Jesus, the greatest of all communicators!

Jesus listened and paid attention to people. An apt and timely word begins with closed lips and open ears. Concentrate on what people say and listen closely to their words (Proverbs 4:20). Jesus paid attention. He noticed Zacchaeus in the treetop (Luke 19:1-10), in a large crowd He felt the touch of a woman who was subject to bleeding for twelve years (Mark 5:24-34), and He stooped to hold babies and bless children (Luke 18:15-17). When people were hurting, hungry, and lacked hope, He listened, paid attention, and responded with love.

Jesus asked a lot of questions. The first to present his (her) case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him (her) (Proverbs 18:17). Asking sincere questions invites people into the activity of discovery. It’s often more effective for people to discover the truth on their own then for us to bulldoze our way through the conversation with bullet points of advice and three-point sermons of how they should make wiser choices. Although the Gospels only record a fraction of Jesus’ words, they contain more than one hundred fifty questions that Jesus asked! Jesus could’ve told His disciples, “I am the Christ.” Instead He invited them into the discovery and asked, “Who do you say I am?” (Mark 8:29). He could’ve told the religious leaders that His authority comes from God. Instead He answered their questions with questions that were imbedded with truth. Do you think questions are an effective way to give an apt reply?

Jesus spoke the truth in love. An apt and timely word is motivated by love. All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse (Proverbs 8:8). Jesus was the Truth and He spoke the truth. Not to prove that He was smart or right, or to be well-liked or well-known. He spoke the truth because He loved people. Jesus told His heavenly Father, “I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them” (John 17:26).  

Wisdom Step: Read through one of the Gospels this week. Record and learn from the ways that Jesus gave an apt and timely word.  

Jesus isn't wowed by fancy words. Keep it simple: Love God; love people; and do stuff. That about covers it.

Bob Goff