Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Wednesday February 10, 2010

At one time I was referred to as "The Don Rickles of ministry." I was very fast to take a shot at someone who misspoke or in the vernacular left themselves open for a zinger. Bald guys never had a prayer, and heavy people, well you get the idea. I really thought I was on the ball.

A friend who is known as "The Verbose One" as he could and attempts to fill as many pages as are in the Russian Encyclopedia in answer to any question sent the following to me and it sure brought back memories of long since discarded habits:

"The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing in the right place but to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting time."

Lady Dorothy Nevill stated the above and though I know nothing about her, I do agree with her on this one.

The scriptures are replete with warning about the destructive power of the tongue. Misusing the organ of speech can ruin marriages, parent child relationships, business deals and associations as well as the old Navy saying, "Loose lips sink ships."

I often tell the story of a doctor's wife who came up to me after a speech I had given to a group at a Valentine's Day Banquet. I had remarked about keeping on trucking in spite of "what they say" using the old ditty from my childhood, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words don't hurt a bit." The dear lady said, "Dr. Lilly, sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can break my heart."

I could tell by her tone and expression that she had heard her share of bitter words. I have never forgotten the incident.

To leap in with the smart Alec word, the caustic word, the bitter word is a trait that wise people learn to avoid, though the temptation to do otherwise can often be very strong.

King Solomon, reputed to be the wisest man who ever lived said it well in his book of Proverbs 25:11:

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver."

One of my goals in these my golden years is to practice golden speech.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2010 Use with credit

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