Proverbs 15:23 - Homiletics

The word in season

I. WHAT IT IS . The word in season is the right word spoken at the right time. It may not be the word that is sought and asked for. It may even be an unwelcome word, a startling word, a word of rebuke. What can be more seasonable than to cry, "Halt!" to one who is nearing the precipice in the dark? Yet he neither expects the word, nor for the moment accepts it with favour. The great requisite is that the word should be suitable for the occasion. This has a special bearing on the word of highest wisdom, the gospel of Jesus Christ. We should be on the look out for suitable moments— e.g. in sorrow, when the heart is softened; in leisure hours, when the mind is open; at new departures, when special guidance is needed; after mistakes have been made, to correct and save; when doubts have been expressed, to remove their paralyzing influence; when Christ has been dishonoured, to vindicate his holy Name. These are all times for speech, but not for uttering the same words. The occasion must determine the character of the word.

II. WHY IT IS GOOD .

1 . The soil must be in a right condition, or the seed that is flung upon it will be wasted. It is useless to cast bushels of the best wheat by the wayside, and foolish to cast pearls before swine. Men do not sow seed in the heat of August nor during a January frost. Our business is to sow beside all waters, and yet to watch for the rising of the waters and make a right use of the seasons. There is a time to speak and a time to keep silence, not because these epochs are fixed by some Divine almanack of destiny, but just because silence is golden when mind and heart need rest and privacy, and speech is precious when sympathy is craved, or when wise words can be received with thoughtful attention. There are "words that help and heal."

2 . The special condition of the hearer determines what he will best receive. We should not preach consolation to a merry child, nor talk of the difficulties of religion before a person who has never been troubled with them. On the other hand, it is useless simply to exhort the soul perplexed with diverse thoughts to "believe and be saved." Indeed, in private conversation the peculiar characteristics of each individual will require a different mode of approach. We cannot discuss theology with an uneducated man as we may have to discuss it with a young graduate.

III. HOW IT MAY BE SPOKEN . It is not easy to find the word in season, and certain conditions are absolutely essential to the production of it.

1 . Sympathy. This is the primary condition. It may be almost affirmed that where this is strong the rest will follow. We cannot speak wisely to a fellow man until we have learnt to put ourselves in his place.

2 . Thought. Great considerateness is necessary that we choose the right word, and then speak it just at the right moment. If a man blurts out the first thought that comes into his mind, he may do infinite harm, though he be acting with the best intention.

3 . Courage. Those who are most fitted by sympathy and thoughtfulness are often most backward to utter the word in season. To such it seems easier to preach to a thousand hewers than to talk directly with one soul. Yet personal conversation is most fruitful. It was Christ's method, e.g. with Nicodemus, the woman at the well, etc. This duty is sadly neglected from lack of moral courage.