The Fine Art of Speaking and Writing Words
The crafting of words is a fine art. It is like being a blacksmith, or a carpenter, or a framer, or a builder. Except with words. A man skilled with his words will stand before kings: “Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.” (Prov. 22:29)
In fact there are lots of Proverbs about words. These are some among many:
Proverbs 25:11 “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.”
Proverbs 18:4 “The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.”
Proverbs 17:27: “Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.”
Proverbs 17:7 “Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech to a prince.”
Proverbs 10:11 “The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.”
Many men workout, in order to show themselves to be disciplined men.
Many men are not only undisciplined in their waistline, but with their tongues. They are unable to restrain their anger, much less are they able to craft and fine tune their words with the precision of a craftsman.
Christians of course, are called to this discipline of the tongue, not only because of the call that we find in Proverbs, but also because of the New Testament warnings in the Book of James about the great danger and threat of an untamed tongue.
This should be the goal of a husband and father, to speak words that build up, rather than tear down to his wife and children (Eph. 4:29). This is hard work when everyone lives in the same house together and trials are shared. But it is necessary for a tired father who comes home from work, that he has such control of his tongue, that he is able to speak life, rather than death in his home.
This is the goal of the man in the church or the public sphere. It matters not only what you say, but also how you craft those words and then how you deliver them at a congregational meeting or a townhall. Even if people disagree with you, even if you have not won them yet, have you captured their imaginations with something of the beauty of Christianity and Christian truth?
But then there is the written word.
The computer keyboard is more powerful than an armoured tank. With great speed we can get words out and hundreds, thousands, even millions can read those words within a minute. Last summer, I released a book on Amazon. Within 2-3 days, people in most parts of the world could buy it. Within a week, they could have a copy in hand. But that is nothing compared to this Substack post. I will release it and within 24 hrs, I will likely have had views from Canada, the USA, the UK, Brazil and India (maybe even South Africa and Australia). All of them will have access to it within minutes of publication. Or X. I can drop a tweet and if one of my colleagues in Calgary or Poland happen to be scrolling, they will see it.
We then, must be thoughtful about our use of words in this sphere, because it is harder to scrub the written word from the collective memory of society. This comes with great power, but also great responsibility. People forget the spoken word, or mishear. But in under 2 minutes all my friends can have screenshots of this substack post or a post on X.
It is important then that all digital communication (just as any other communication) is shaped by the wisdom of Proverbs, and is done in obedience to the 9th commandment.
“That I never give false testimony against anyone, twist no one’s words, not gossip or slander, nor join in condemning anyone rashly or without a hearing.Rather, I should avoid, under penalty of God’s wrath,every kind of lying and deceit as the very works of the devil; and, in court and everywhere else, I should love the truth, speak it candidly, and openly acknowledge it.And I should do what I can to defend and advance my neighbor’s honor and reputation.” (Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 43, on the 9th Commandment).
Do you see a man skillful in his labor? He will stand before kings. But remember first, that you stand before the King of kings. On the last day, you will stand before His judgment seat where He will take you to task for every word spoken (Matt. 12:36).
I see a disgusting and vile word salad of F-bombs, vile language, and rage-baiting across many conservative and even Christian commentators and political pundits. Sure, I know, it gets clicks and gains views, but what worth is it to have a large platform and lose your own soul? I’m not saying that there is never a time for harsh words and even the explicit language of the prophets in order to expose sin & call to repentance (read Ezekiel, Jeremiah, or the Apostle Paul). But how much of this is done in sinful anger and for clicks? Is it conveying truth, beauty and goodness?
One of the things that you will find from time to time is that it takes me time to answer a question. Sometimes there are halting pauses while I speak and think through not only what I am saying, but also what I will say. I know, it annoys me. I’m not witty. I probably could be. But do I want to be? Sure, if I can do it a way that honors Christ. Once those words leave your mouth or keyboard, you can’t get them back.
So what I am recommending here is some sort of boot-camp for the tongue, some sort of apprenticeship for men seeking to launch their words. This is in order to bring about explosions of light in the darkness & evil of this world.
I really do want the unbelieving world to see Christians prize true morality above their corruption, truth above their lies, and beauty above their orc speech.
For that, we must turn to Jesus Christ who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. As we stand before the King of kings, we then also ought to pray that He will bring us as His servants before the kings of the earth, with a witness to His good and gracious and just and eternal reign.
Note: this post will also be published on nathanzekveld.substack.com
Photo by Hrayr Movsisyan on Unsplash
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