Spoken Word (Proverbs 15:23)

The Bible has so much to say about words. Words are those things in life that can be very harmful or extremely uplifting.

"A man has joy in making an apt answer, and a word spoken at the right moment, how good it is!" Proverbs 15:23, Amplified

Very few times do the Scriptures in Proverbs focus on just one aspect of the human condition. Here we find out more about the words spoken by a man and not necessarily the man himself. Two things are covered in this verse. First, there is great joy in having the right answer. At any stage of life this truth can be found to be evident. Go to any grade school where the teacher is asks the students a question. When the student answers correctly, the elation on his or her face is evident. Even in the work place when the boss posses a problem that warrants a solution and the employee has the solution that the employer is looking for.

Secondly, a word spoken in due time, or at the correct moment is very good. I know I have had a problem in the past speaking out the wrong thing at the wrong time, trying to be funny, but ending up hurting more than anything else. But there are those times, when I did shine, and there are those times when I do shine. The Bible never commands us to encourages others through deed. Actions are examples. Encouragement comes from words spoken. Comfort comes from words spoken. "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, sining with grace with grace in your hearts to the Lord." (Colossians 3:16, NKJV) Spoken word. "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let hi sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call the elders of the church, and let him pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord." (James 5:13-14, NKJV) All things that need a physical voice. The Christian is truly powerless without the spoken word.

Godly Counsel (Proverbs 15:22)

It is important to get advice from different people. When the heart is unsure, counsel from others eases doubt.

"Where there is no counsel, purposes are frustrated, but with many counselors they are accomplished." Proverbs 15:22, Amplified

A man can never know everything that there is to know concerning certain situations. This is why the Bible encourages us to seek out counsel from church leadership and family and fiends, but that counsel needs to be godly. When ever I read this verse, I am reminded of a passage of Scripture. After Solomon died, his son Rehoboam came into power and the people stated that his father made things very difficult and they wanted to know what he was going to do. The people said, "Your father made our yoke heavy; now therefore, lighten the burdensome service of your father, and his heavy yoke which he put on us, and we will serve you." (First Kings 12:4, NKJV) Rehoboam consulted the elders. These were the same men that gave his father advice. They said, "If you will be a servant to these people today, and serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever." (First Kings 12:7, NKJV) Rehoboam rejected this counsel then asked his friends how he should address the people. "My little finger will be thicker than my father's waist! And now, whereas my father put a heavy yoke on you, I will add to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scourges!" (First Kings 12:10c-11, NKJV)

It was because of the lack of following godly counsel that Rehoboam essentially gave up the kingdom. Because he chose to follow the counsel of his friends, the kingdom was split in two. The ten northern kingdoms never had a godly king, whereas the two southern kingdoms suffered under evil kings, but prospered under godly kings. All this because of the lack of godly counsel.

Circumspect Walk (Proverbs 15:21)

Anyone who is not saved enjoys the sin they commit. It is when one really gives his (or her) heart to the Lord that the sin longer is fun. It becomes more of a weight of guilt.

"Folly is pleasure to him who is without heart and sense, but a man of understanding walks uprightly - making straight his going." Proverbs 15:21, Amplified

If any of us have a pre-conversion story, I would assume that you remember the joys of your sinfulness. What I mean is when neither of us had to hold ourselves accountable to God. Sin was definitely fun. But as we come to a knowledge of the Lord, that sin is exposed for what it truly is. I like how the verse states that the man of understanding makes straight his going. The man who has come to know God has a purposeful pureness about him. I am not saying that the man of God does not sin, but he tries to make the best decisions in his walk. The fact is that we all fall short of the glory of God. Paul encourages us by saying this, "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16, NKJV) To walk circumspectly means to walk in every direction at once. The true meaning of the verse is this, in order to walk righteously, keep watch around you so that you are not ambushed by sin. Know your surroundings so that you can better know your God.