A word fitly spoken is like APPLES OF GOLD in a setting of silver (Proverbs 25v11)
As we continue our meditations on wisdom as found in the Book of Proverbs, we arrive at Saying No. 14 in chapter 23v15: “My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad indeed; my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right”. We all have dreams for our children and often it involves sacrifice of time and money to ensure they achieve their, or dare I say it, sometimes our goals. But let us not lose sight of what is of great importance, namely that they grow up to have wise hearts that navigate safely through the turmoil of this corrupt and selfish world. Wise parents always rejoice when their children display a wise and holy attitude irrespective of whether they are successful materially or not. The challenge to parents is to make it a priority to bring up their children to embrace the wisest of all sayings which is to: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” Friends, if you are a grandparent or uncle/aunt maybe there are times when you need to intervene to give the right guidance (not interference) to children if the parents are unable or unwilling. Then like the writer of this proverb, your innermost beings will truly rejoice when you witness the next generation living wisely and speaking what is right. What is “right” speech? I would suggest a few such as encouragement, comfort and telling the truth in love – as we read in Colossians 4v6: “Your speech must always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt”. Right speech is definitely not gossip, slander, hate, bringing people down or dirty and foul language. In conclusion, let us take note of what Jesus said in Matthew 15v11: “What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them”.