Proverbs 16:23-24 

²³The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction. ²⁴Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Sa Bibig Nahuhuli Ang Isda!

         “Sa bibig nahuhuli ang isda!” (Fish is caught by its mouth). What does this Filipino saying mean? Their own words would reveal it if they are telling the truth or not. Additionally, you will also discern it by their language, the way or manner they speak if they are worth listening to or not.

We believe that every instruction from our Lord Jesus Christ is worth listening to but sadly, not all listeners want to follow his commands, why?

Fishermen may catch fish and release it into the water. For them, to catch fish is just for fun but no plan to consume or eat the fish they caught. Similarly, people may be looking for fun listening and understanding the teachings of Christ but they have no intention at all to trust and obey him.

A rich young ruler religiously followed the 10 commandments. He asked Christ how he can get eternal life. Reflect on what the Lord Jesus Christ compassionately answered him in Matthew 19:21-22, ²¹“If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” ²²When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

The young man had many years ahead of him to enjoy his wealth. He could miss the fun of spending his money for temporal pleasure if he sold his possessions and donate them to the needy. What is the benefit of earning so much money? Isn’t money very essential for retirement days?

Interestingly, Christ invites us to follow him. Most people want to save for retirement days. They save as much as they can to financially support themselves during their golden years or retirement. Instinctively, Christians agree to such financial notion. Of course, financial independence is being considerate. It is better to be self-sufficient than to be a liability to the family.

Someone advised, “Have many children as you can so that when you grow old, many of them will take care of you.” That’s reliance to children but let’s reflect on what it advised in 2 Corinthians 12:14. ¹⁴After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.

Does it mean that children shouldn’t support parents in their old age? No! It’s smart for parents to prepare for their children’s future. Planning for family is acceptable to most Christians. So, we should be prayerful on how we may approach life on earth because the human heart is deceptive.

1. Heart

        ²³The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction.

Biblically, the heart is central to the person. To know ourselves, know our heart. Our heart dictates our language as a person. If we are wise, our heart guides our mouth to speak smartly. Heart is figuratively used also for feeling, desire and even the intellect. If we are smart, our heart prefers to promote productive ideas. Experts advise to guard our heart.

If the heart is affected emotionally, what can we do? If we get angry for whatever reason, our mindset can be affected. And unpleasant words may come out of our mouth which may affect our relationship. It’s not wise.

The Scripture revealed in Jeremiah 17:9-10, ⁹The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? ¹⁰“I the Lord  search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.”

Medical experts may cure and repair physical illness. The Scripture teaches that the heart is beyond cure, why? Our heart dictates even desire that seems to be favorable to us. We desire to get rich and powerful but wealth and power may mislead anyone to be corrupt and dishonest.

Under the Table

Many tourists come to North America to work illegally. They receive compensation under the table. Payment under the table means secret pay and not reported to the government. If the government find tourists getting paid, they will be prosecuted. Dishonest citizens who do not want to pay taxes agree with under the table payment. Not paying taxes is dishonesty.

Where does dishonesty comes from? The heart of dishonest person cannot be cured by medical experts. Dishonesty is sinfulness that can only be cured by our Creator. It is another reason God sent his Son Jesus Christ to heal dishonest hearts of believers. Together reflect on what is revealed about the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in Isaiah 53:5, ⁵He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Honesty is the best policy. It is wise to practice it. Dishonesty controls sinful nature. Instinctively, mankind is sinful. When by faith in Jesus Christ we are cured from dishonesty, how sweet is it? Is it sweet as honeycomb?

2. Honeycomb

       ²⁴Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Gracious words are pleasant to listen to and sweet like honeycomb. Pleasant words heal the bones. How is that? If the structure of a building is strong, the building is strong. If the structure fails the building fails. Bones are structural support for the physical body. If the bones fail, the body fails.

In contrast, if the bones are strong, the physical body is much better. Certainly, there are many factors that may cause the body to be weak. It feels so weak and there is less desire to keep on when there are bad reports about work, school, relationship, community or the church.

When we hear pleasant news, excitement is aroused and energy is revived, and there’s desire to keep on keeping on. Gracious words can be healing agent to stand and resume. Parents should learn to be gracious.

I told you, so!

One of the anticipated but unpleasant remark that children may hear from parents is, “I told you, so!” Her parents spoiled their only child. But when they advised her to choose friends, she ignored them. And so, she had many undesirable situations. Children harm themselves as results of ignoring parental advice. Have you heard parents say, “I told you, so?”

Parents, let’s learn from Christ on how he counseled when Jewish leaders tried to trap him on how to deal an immoral woman in John 8:7-11.

         ⁷“Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” ⁸Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

            ⁹ At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. ¹⁰ Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” ¹¹ “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

Truly, anyone is quick to condemn when others sin. Sins are related to each other while some people may view immorality as worse than lying.  Nobody is exempted from sinning. Remember that anyone can commit sin anytime. We still live in this wicked world. So instead of condemnation, we should be prayerful when we learn that a person committed mistakes.

Like pleasant word, praying blesses our soul. It’s sweet experience.

May our gracious God bless us to communicate graciously and pleasantly.

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