In Due Season

"A man has joy by the answer of his mouth,

and a word spoken  in due season, how good it is."  (Proverbs 15:23)

A good farmer has the wisdom and patience to plant the right seeds during the right season so that those seeds will produce a fruitful harvest.  Of course to plant seeds during the wrong season would be a waste of seeds and would bear no fruit.

Solomon takes this simple, yet important farming principle and applies it to the spoken word.  We are first to be careful of the words we speak, then be careful when we speak those words.

As a pastor, there have been many times when I have the right words to say, I know exactly what a person needs to hear, but the Lord will stop me from speaking.  The season for planting was wrong, perhaps more plowing is needed, or softening of the heart.  Maybe the words would be more well- received coming from another.  I had good wisdom to share, but discernment said to hold that wisdom until the right season when it will bear good fruit.

Do you have something to share with your spouse, child or friend?  Pray first for the clarity and truth in what you say, then pray again for discernment as to the right season to share.  It may be that the Lord will have you hold your tongue.  If so, don't fret, trust the Lord. If this is a truth that they need to hear, God is more than able to deliver it to them when their heart is ready and it will bring forth much good fruit.