A JOYFUL MOUTH!

From the Advisory Pastor

Dear Members in Christ,

A Joyful Mouth!

Proverbs 15:23 “A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!” [Synonymous parallelism]

The power of words can never be overstated. Words can destroy or build up. Words can wound or heal the soul. According to the internet, the number of words spoken per day ranges from 7,000 to 20,000. Words have caused more harm than good as the world’s economic, political and social climate reveal. It is a world of wars instead of peace. It is a vast divide when it comes to the wealth distribution of the world. It is a world of unhappiness and manifold sorrows. The words of sinful man are sharp, piercing into the hearts and minds of man. When this happens in the work place it is perhaps understandable as the hurt and harm occur in the sin-filled dog-eat-dog world. But tragically hurtful words are spoken at home too. Wives and husbands stab each other repeatedly with their sharp words and raised voices. Children become wounded victims when parents who are the bedrock of their peace of mind are repeatedly cracked. These cracks get wider and wider when the cement of apology that can fill these gaps is never applied. Nightmares and fearful thoughts grow within the children’s frail hearts. These broken children grow up to become men and women of today’s world. They repeat the same sad experiences in their own lives and families. The vicious cycle of hurtful words repeats itself from bad to worse.

Many Christian homes are not exempted from this harsh reality. As children of God, we have been endowed with heavenly strength and wisdom by our heavenly Father to be able to control our tongues. The source of our words is our heart. Hearts of all believers have been washed by the blood of Christ. They have been given new hearts, hence new words.  James 3:9-12 “Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.” The words of all Christians are like double edged swords able to hurt or heal for Christ. It is imperative that all believers use their words wisely. 

The literal translation of Proverbs 15:23 reveals to us that the emphasis is on the impact of these wise words, which is “joy.” The literal translation, is, “Joy to the man by the answer of his mouth and a word in due season, how good.” God wants all His children to experience this God given joy, in them and for others. Jesus says in John 15:11 “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” This joy will flow through us when our lips have the right answers to all of life’s problems. The only Book that provides right answers is the perfect Bible. When the Word of God flows wisely from our lips, joy is the result. God is praised. Lives are blessed. Souls are saved. The goodness of God prevails wherever such believers are found. Christ is magnified. The heart of the child of God is lifted up. He fulfils the very purpose of his existence after his salvation in Christ. He is joyful beyond measure in his soul. He brings joy to others as well. Some of these joys include:-

The Joy of Salvation Grace – We have been delivered from the bondage to sin. We have the power from God to live a holy life in Christ, by His grace. The joy of living this abundant life with Christ in our fibre of our being. It lifts us up when we are down. Its light shines brightly when darkness begins to envelope us. It is a joy that defeats all sorrows on earth. This occurs every time we share the gospel with others.

The Joy of Going Home to Glory – We have our eternal hope in heaven. We have no need to fear death and hell. This sin-filled world is not our home. Our home in heaven is secured in Christ. As long as Christ lives, our eternal hope lives. Christ lives forever! We are strangers and pilgrims on earth passing through to our eternal home in glory land. We shall see Christ one blessed day and feel His gentle embrace, safe in merciful arms. One day we shall walk the streets of gold and enter the pearly gates of the New Jerusalem with our beloved brothers and sisters in Christ forever and ever. We are reminded of this when our words comfort others in times of sickness and despondency.

The Joy of Praise and Prayer – We can experience this joy today when we praise and pray to our loving heavenly Father. We do not need to wait till we arrive in heaven to do so. Lifting up our grateful hearts through lips full of praise to our good and patient Father in heaven is our all-consuming delight. To commune with Him daily without end till we arrive home is most wonderful and assuring in this dangerous world. We know that He is only a prayer away and is forever by our side no matter where we go and serve Him. This is experienced whenever we worship with a heart of praise and thanksgiving.

The Joy of Fearing God – We fear no man but God. We have tasted the fear of God which is the beginning of wisdom in our souls at the start of our salvation journey. It lights a flame that can never be extinguished. It gives strength and courage to live for Christ no matter what pain or suffering we have to endure for Christ’s sake. Just as Christ lived and suffered for us, we count it a privilege and honour to live and suffer for Christ’s sake. This is experienced when we defend the honour and blessed Name of Christ and the faith.

The Joy of Promoting Christ – We can tell the world that they do not have to die in sin. But better still is that we can serve our fellow brethren in Christ. They have Christ presented before them when we serve them. We look at this world with the eyes of Christ and see through the glitter and shine of a world that is dying in sin. Serving in church, attending Bible Study together and enjoying the sweet fellowship, or crying and laughing together as we carry each other’s burden are priceless. This is felt within our souls when serve and fellowship with like-minded brothers and sisters in Christ.

Using synonymous parallelism, God emphasizes the truth that when believers speak the right words at the right time, to the right people and at the right place, it will be good for everyone. It is good for every sinner who can come to know Christ. It is good for fellow believers who can be provoked to love and more good works. It is good for the believer himself as he experiences the purpose of his life in Christ. Above all else it is good to the praise and glory of God, for this is why Christ came to save us.

Food for thought – A joyful Christian has a joyful mouth.