Proverbs 27:11-16 - Practical Wisdom (1)

Wisdom as we know is knowledge applied. It is practical. It evaluates a situation and its surrounding conditions and chooses the best course of action to bring the best outcome. Wisdom always benefits one who exercises it. When a wise advice is given and the recipient acts on it, the heart of the one who imparted the wisdom is always made glad. For example, a father will be glad and finds satisfaction when his son takes his wise counsel and acts on them. Furthermore, any critics of the adviser will be silenced. That’s what verse 11 tells us. And what’s important about practical wisdom, verse 12 says, is that it will keep one from danger. A wise person knows how to quickly appraise and identify evil and keeps out of its way. In contrast a senseless person will cast headlong mindlessly, not considering the dangers. He will find himself needlessly exposed to evil and pays dearly for it. The advice is to evaluate a situation and keep out of harm’s way.

Verse 13 reiterated the danger of being a co-signee discussed in Proverbs 6:1-5. It is best not to be trapped in such a situation where one has to be a guarantor to another. It is because a creditor will always hold the guarantor responsible and makes sure he discharges his obligation.

Verse 14 is not dealing with the volume or the time of a greeting. Rather it is seeking to tell us that when a good thing is offered at the wrong time it is undesirable. Why? It is just that we can never tell what volume is loud and when it is early to someone, so our good intention may be wrongly read. It is difficult to determine when and how our greeting will be appropriately received. The crux is this: we must be sure to assess a situation and act appropriately.  

Verses 15-16 provide wisdom in choosing a life partner. When a man fails to carefully choose who he wants to be his wife, he will end up in a life of misery, and also the vice-versa. A quarrelsome woman is certainly not a good choice. She will be contentious and a constant nag. Verse 15 compares her to the constant dripping of water, much like a leaky tap. Verse 16 tells us that trying to restrain her contention is like trying to catch wind and contain it. It is also like trying to grasp an object with an oily, greasy hand. The idea is that such a contentious woman is impossible to restrain. Any man seeking a wife must bear this in mind. It must be said that some men can also be petty and contentious. A woman must also wisely choose the man she wants for a life-partner. The important thing is this: Marriage is a life-long commitment. We must choose our life partner wisely and carefully. A wrong choice will mean a life of unending despair.  If you are going to be married be sure you have a right partner. It is better to stay single than marrying the wrong person.  

Proverbs 27:5-10 – The value of friendship

Friendship has a role in one’s life journey. It is important that we have friends. True friends in life are to be prized. Keep in mind that there are some people who are fair-weather friends. They stay with you when things are fine and rosy, but the minute you encounter an issue and need them most, they cannot be found. We will meet with such people in life, but we will also have true friends who will leave indelible marks in our life. True friends add value to your life and help you to become the best version of you. What constitutes a good friend? Proverbs 27:5-10 give us some helpful hints on good friendship.

Proverbs 27:5-6 tell us that friendship thrives when there is honesty. It is better to rebuke a friend openly than to love him secretly. When we honestly correct a friend, it may be painful for the moment, but the open rebuke will tell him where he has gone wrong. He will then be given the opportunity to correct himself. When we do not rebuke him, he will not be aware of his mistake and will continue in his mistake without realizing his wrong. This verse proposes that we should do so openly and honestly. We must not feel bad doing it because we love that friend. In keeping quiet about it, we condone error and rob him of the opportunity to better himself. To reprimand a friend when he is wrong is more valuable than to secretly love him and nonchalantly condone his mistake. Yes, in any reprimand, a friend will feel the impact of the hurtful words, but they are better than deceitful kisses. Why? Because those kisses are pleasant on the surface but it will mislead the person. He will be deceived into thinking that he is doing well with that mistake, when it is not. Remember Judas Iscariot, he betrayed our Lord with a kiss. Let us not be a Judas to our friends.

Proverbs 27:7-8 tell us that familiarity always breeds contempt. In cultivation of friendship, we must not take things for granted and overstay our welcome. When that happens, even our goodwill will be unwelcomed. Moderation is advised. Like honey which is nutritious and good, over consuming it will make a person loathe the sight of it. So also, is friendship. When we overstay our welcome, we become loathsome to our friends. On the other hand, when our meetings are regulated and spaced out, it will make our friends desire it more. It is like a hungry man starved of food and even when the food is not tasty, he will welcome it.  So also, is friendship and fellowship. When a person misses the fellowship of a friend, he will yearn for it and create the opportunity to meet. Another thing true friendship does to a person is that it will bring security. Verse 8 tells us that good friends, like family members, give us the warmth and security we need. To wander away from well-meaning friends and family members make us devoid of hedges of protection. Surrounded by friends and family members we can find good counsel that will prevent us from making gross mistakes.

Proverbs 27:9 tells us that the counsel of a friend is valuable. They are like perfume that gives off sweet aroma. It is a welcoming and pleasurable encounter for one who experiences it. Finally, verse 10 tells us that true friends stay with you in adversity. It is better to have one who will be near by in calamity than having kinsmen who stay far away, when they see you in trouble. We all don’t have a choice when it comes to blood relationship and being kinsman, but we do have a choice as to who we befriend. So, choose friends carefully.      

Proverbs 27:1-4 – Factors that contribute to harmonious living

The fallen man is at ought with God, with others, with himself and with nature. Now that we are redeemed we need to know the principles God has given in His Word to keep us on track with Him and live life harmoniously. The book of Proverbs has much to offer us. It tells us that when we walk righteously with God, we will be richly rewarded. When we walk contrary to His Word, we find ourselves at the opposite end of blessing because we are not living in accordance to His will. Wisdom demands that we seek out God’s ways and walk in them. Proverbs 27:1-4 leave us with four good factors to harmonious living. Verse 1 urges us to trust God daily. Verse 2 tells us not to praise ourselves but to let others do it. Verse 3 reminds us not to be needlessly provoked; and verse 4 warns us against arousing others to jealousy.  

God has ordained that everything in the world operates in an orderly fashion. He alone knows the end from the beginning. For us man, our revelation is progressive. We know only as we come to an event and experience it. What we do know is that God has ordained an orderly world. While it is orderly, it is not predictable. Hence, no one knows what the future holds, much less controls it. So, it is foolish to boast about tomorrow. We don’t even know what tomorrow may present to us. Wisdom tells us to live one day at a time, trusting God. Plan by all means but be sure to factor the Holy Spirit and the Word of God in the plan. Besides, we must also do so with much prayers while being open to God’s prompting. Despite our plan, be open to changes as the Spirit guides us. What’s important is to trust God each day of our existence! That’s the essence of the first verse of Proverbs 27.

Not only are we advised us not to boast about our future, the next verse reminds us not to boast about ourselves. Verse 2 clearly tells us not to praise ourselves. Clearly, self-praise is equivalent to boasting. It is an activity of a self-centred person. In all our accomplishment, it is better for others to say how good it is than for us to praise ourselves. One receives more credit when others notice the work we have done than for we ourselves us to highlight it. When another person does the praising, our achievement is authenticated and the praise is more genuine.     

Proverbs 27:3 urges us not to be easily provoked especially by senseless people. To do so is like carrying a needless burden that’s heavier than a stone. A foolish person will say anything mindlessly. When we entertain all his thoughtless words and are provoked, we will be needlessly bearing an unnecessary burden. Don’t be unduly provoked and suffer the needless hurt. A senseless person always blames others for the problems he had created. It is unwise to try and bear the burden he had created by his own hand.   

We all have experienced the wrath of another person. It is like a heavy weight laden on one’s shoulder. It hurts and inflicts pain on one’s emotion. A rage, which is an anger out of control, is hard to bear. But what is worst than an uncontrollable rage is jealousy.  The purpose of Proverbs 27:4 is to warn us against provoking someone to jealousy. If we do, we will be creating a situation that we cannot handle. Let’s take to heart the principles of these four verses so that we can live with God and others harmoniously.  

 

Proverbs 26:22-28 – Don’t fall prey to deceit

Ever deal with people who are spiteful? Such mischief makers are malicious, mean and nasty. The last five verses of proverbs 26 deal with such people. They are identified as spiteful and malicious people. In these verses we get to see a series of misconducts and mischiefs such people create.

One thing is their deceitful words. Verse 22 tells us that their words are dressed up beautifully, camouflaging their ulterior motive. The slanders they promulgate are with words that are soothing and crafted to mislead the hearer. The description is that their words are like “dainty morsels” because they are spoken with charm. And these words are well crafted and delivered so that they will penetrate into the innermost part of the hearers. This implies that the gossips are designed that they will be taken in wholesale, digested and believed. Verse 23 further tells us that those words are also fraudulent. They are spoken like words to a friend but are issued from a wicked heart. So comfortable will those words be, that hearers will be lured into a false sense of security. The wickedness of their heart is camouflaged like an earthen vessel overlaid with low grade silver to give the appearance of value. Remember the English proverbs that tells us that “All that glitters is not gold.” The outer veneer can be designed to camouflage the wickedness within.  These verses constitute an appeal to us to be smart and learn to listen to the real intent of a person’s heart. 

Verses 24-25 provide us with reasons why we should try to listen to their hearts. For that’s where we can identify their real purpose. If we listen to the heart, we will be able to identify their insincerity which lies underneath the veneer of their superficial and smooth speech. The malicious or hateful people always hide their hatred with charming speeches that flow from a toxic source – the heart. In verse 25 we are told that the heart of such people is filled with seven abominations. This is to say that they are so utterly filled with wickedness. Thankfully, verse 26 reveals that no matter how well the mischief makers may disguise and try to conceal their wickedness, it will ultimately be openly exposed.  As far as our righteous God is concerned, no wickedness will be able to be prolonged to hurt the righteous. Verse 27 warns that digging a hole to plot someone’s fall may boomerang. And the schemer may just fall into the trap of his own making. Finally, verse 28 ends Proverbs 26 by telling us that all deceitful speeches are intended to bring about someone’s else’s ruin and destruction.  It is a sure indication of hatred. It will do us well not to give in to flattery. Don’t be hook-winked by smooth words. Always verify what we have heard so that we will not fall prey to the scheme of wickedness. Be alert and watchful when someone praise you more than you know you deserve.  

Proverbs 26:17-21 – Don’t be meddlesome

We are spiritual beings living in God’s great universe to fulfill His great purpose. If we are to realize life’s great purpose we need to be connected to the Creator God. He is the reason for our being. He made us with capacity to desire and choose the outcome of our life. And we are the end product of the choices we made in life. Who we become is a lifestyle choice. The first 12 verses of Proverbs 12 show us that a fool chooses to adopt a lifestyle without the fear of the Lord. In that choice, he prefers folly to godly values. In Proverbs 26:13-16, we see the lifestyle of people who are lazy. They refuse a lifestyle of hard-work and diligence, and the manners they adopt in life is a result of that lifestyle choice. In Proverbs 26:17-21, we are shown yet another class of people whose lifestyle we must avoid. They are the meddlesome.  

A person who is meddlesome is someone who interferes and disrupts the life of others. Instead of living a life complementary to others within a community to ensure a peaceful and harmonious co-existence, a meddlesome person brings disharmony and disquiet. Verse 17 tells us that such a person gets into a strife that is not his. He needlessly intrudes into the quarrel of others and becomes agitated and angry for no reason of his own. He is like one who needlessly take a dog by the ear and gets bitten unnecessarily.

Verses 18 shows that a meddlesome man will make the excuse for his gross misconduct by claiming that he was only joking. He will cause harm with his lies and claims it’s only a practical joke. He will cover up his real intention in jest. In the process he will deliberately hurt someone covertly through his jest. Verse 19 makes it clear that he is one who, under the guise of a joke, hurls firebrand and darts that may kill friskily.

Verses 20-21 tell us that a meddlesome person takes great delight in adding fire to the fuel to stroke up the fire in a controversy. This is often done through subtle insinuations and innuendo. The subtle whisperings will be done behind the back of people whom they intend to hurt. This is how he keeps a falsehood and contention flourishing. Verse 21 shows that he will not only operate covertly but will also do so openly. He will stroke the fire of contention to a quarrel that seems to be dying down by bringing up more issues to keep the quarrel going on. He is like one adding wood to fire that seems to be at the brink of being doused.   

These verses remind us to relate harmoniously with our fellow believers. We must not intrude into the affairs of others unless it affects our total witness as a community. The command of Jesus is to “love one another.” If we are involved in mediating a misunderstanding, we must add to the solution and not to create more problems. Otherwise, it is better to mind our own business than to be the cause of a prolonged misunderstanding. Romans 12:9 exhorts us to “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; and cling to what is good.” This is a God-honouring attitude we must adopt.

Proverbs 26:13-16 – The self-destructive lifestyle of a sluggard

In Proverbs 24:30-34, we saw the inevitable consequences of laziness. Solomon now returns to the subject again in Proverbs 26:13-16. In the previous 12 verses of Proverbs 26, he gave us some pointers on how to handle a fool. In these four verses, he gives us pointers on how to recognize a sluggard. There are essentially four clear signs we will see in a sluggard.

Firstly, he is full of excuses. This can be seen in verse 13. A sluggard will thoughtlessly give a silly excuse just to stay away from work. He is like one who says, “There is a lion in the road! A lion in the open square!” What this is suggesting is that a sluggard will give the silliest of excuse to stay in door. Lions are usually found in the forest and not roaming in the city and square. Just to away stay from work and in-door, a sluggard will make that kind of excuse, no matter how farfetched it may seem to be. When ask to go and work, a sluggard will give one thousand and one reasons why it is dangerous to go into the assignment.

Secondly, a sluggard loves sleep more than work. This is seen in verse 14. He would rather turn and toss in bed like a door swinging loosely on hinges, than going to work. The loosely swinging door is to illustrate purposeless motions. That’s what a sluggard will do. He will engage in motions that lead him nowhere rather than work that will get him somewhere. He would rather turn from side to side in bed than to leave it for some useful works. When a door moves it will make creaking sounds. When work is demanded of a sluggard, like the creaking door he will moan and groan.

Thirdly, in verse 15, the sluggard will not even make the smallest move to meet his own basic needs. When he gets out of bed and breakfast is prepared for him, he will not even move a hand to eat what is served. He is too lazy even to feed himself by bringing the food to his mouth. Although this is a hyperbole, it proves a point. A lazy bum is too slothful even to take care of his basic necessities in life.  

Fourthly, in verse 16, we can see that a slothful person is not only arrogant but also highly opinionated. He will close his mind to what others are suggesting. All he can see is himself and his own thinking. So arrogant and highly opinionated is he that he would not even listen to wise and discreet answers from others. The “seven men who can give discreet answers” is to say that no amount of perfect answers will ever be adequate to move him to work. Not only should we shun the attitude of a sluggard, but we must show God’s handiwork in our life by being diligent.

Proverbs 26:1-12 – Nine ways to handle a fool

The book of Proverbs has much to teach us on how to attain a great life. There are so many good examples we need to emulate. Of course, there are also those that we must avoid. We have already discovered many of them in the last 25 chapters we have reflected upon. Now in Proverbs 26, we will see emphasis of four characters that we all will interact with in life. Meeting fools in the course of life is inevitable. The pertinent question is when we meet one, how should we deal with him? In Proverbs 26:1-12, there are nine things we should or should not do when dealing with a fool. Let’s find out what they are.

Verse 1 tells us, firstly, that a fool should not be raised to a place of honor. He is not suitable for such a position. To put him up there is out of place. It is like having snow during summer or rain during winter.  Snow in summer will destroy one’s crops while rain in harvest would post a difficulty in terms of storing the harvest. Besides when a fool is in a position of honour, his folly will be confirmed and he might be given a false sense of his worth. What we really shouldn’t do is to create the opportunity for him to carry out his mischief.  

Verse 2 tells us, secondly, that we are not to fear a curse that had been pronounced without a reason. In the context of a fool, he does not take thought to what he says and will thoughtlessly pronounce a curse on another person without a logical cause. His curse need not be taken seriously and it will not take effect because it had been unjustly spoken. There is no reason to be unduly alarmed. This verse suggests that a curse does take effect when there is a just cause, hence it behoves us to be careful regarding speaking a word of condemnation on someone, especially our children. When curses are uttered for no justifiable causes, they will be like birds that fly aimlessly and not able to find a place to nest or land.

Verse 3 tells us, thirdly, that a fool cannot be disciplined with gentleness. To give advice will just fall on his deaf ears. Much like a horse or a donkey that needs some measures to get them moving, so also must a right measure be administered to discipline a fool. In getting a horse to move in the right direction, a rider will use a whip. And for a donkey, a bridle is usually used. But to get a fool to move in the right direction, some harsh and forceful measures will be required to instill discipline.

Verses 4-5 tell us, fourthly, that we cannot engage a debate with a fool on his terms. To deal with a fool on his terms is lowering one own’s standard and dignity. It is like wallowing in his folly. It will damage one’s own reputation to engage with him in his senseless argument. One clear way to deal with such a person is, to do to him what his folly deserves, simply walk away. This may bring him to his senses and awaken him to his folly. By walking away, he may be made aware to the truth that what he is saying is not worth listening. To stay back and engage him will give him that false idea that what he is saying is worth our attention.

Verse 6 tells us, fifthly, that to trust a fool to send an important message is reckless.  He lacks the capacity or the responsibility to be trusted with such an assignment. A fool has the tendency to distort your message. Instead of helping one’s cause, he may bring harm and even irreparable damage. To do so, it’s like shooting one’s own foot. Such a person cannot bear the responsibility of such an assignment. Verses 7 and 9 re-enforced this fact. His incapacity to decipher a message is like the useless legs of a cripple. His incapacity to distinguish what may hurt is like thorns in the hand of a drunkard, who has been rendered senseless by his excessive drinking.  

Verse 8 tells us, sixthly, that to praise a fool is incongruous. It is pointless to pay him honor because he cannot live up to the accolades given him. No one ties a stone to his sling if he wants to hurl it at a target. To give accolades to a fool is like tying the stone to one’s sling. It is useless and unfruitful to give praise to a fool.  

Verse 10 tells us, seventhly, that we should not hire a fool. His lacks of sense will hurt everyone like a reckless archer shooting his arrows needlessly at everyone. His incompetence will cause more harm than good. One may end up with an organization full of people who are hurt by his insensitivity. Wisdom dictates that to do a job well, we need to hire a competent worker to do so.    

Verses 11, tells us, eighthly, that a fool is incapable of correcting himself. He will keep on repeating a mistake. No one returns to the vomit that he has thrown out. Only dogs will, because it is senseless. But a fool will behave like that, he will return to his vomit. What’s worst than a fool is one who is wise in his own eyes. This the given in the ninth advice in verse 12. He is unteachable. At least with a fool with some harsh measures can be set right, but not so with one who is totally non-receptive. He is without hope because he is so conceited that he has shut out all avenues of correction. The point is this: to engage in correcting a fool is an exercise in futility. It will be more expedient to expand our energy in something more worthwhile.

Proverbs 25:23-28 – Four harmful habits we all need to avoid

Apart from taking care of our spiritual, mental and physical life, we also need to take care of our social-emotional relationship. Until all four dimensions (spiritual, mental, social-emotional and physical) are in good functioning order, our quest for total wholeness in life will suffer a setback. The book of Proverbs has a great deal to say about improving social-emotional relationships. We have dealt with quite a few principles already in Proverbs 25:1-22. Many of them instruct us on what to do as well as warn us concerning what not to do, if we are to have a healthy interpersonal relationship. In these last six verses, we will see four more warnings on conducts to avoid if we are to relate well with others.

Verse 23 warns us against slandering. In essence, this verse is saying that slandering and talking behind someone’s back will certainly incur his or her anger when the person comes to hear about it. As surely as north wind will usher in cold rain, so will malicious rumours about someone incur his anger, change his countenance and arouse his wrath.

Verses 24-25 warn against seclusion. While nagging and contention drive people away, good news, even if they are received occasionally, can refresh a person’s insolation. The idea is not to be contentious, causing separation. But for those who are tempted to be contentious and nagging, it is better to be positive and be a bearer of good news. Just imagine if occasional good news can cheer a person up, how much more when we speak positively and avoid being contentious all the time. Here’s a word to the man. Be wise, treat your wife well, make her your queen and you will automatically be her king.

Verse 26 warns against being a coward. When we fail to stand up for the truth and be the person we ought to be, we are not useful to the community. This is especially true for us believers living in a fallen world. As members of God’s family, each one of us is only as useful as our conducts, which show fearlessly that we belong to the camp of the righteous and will not wilt or bow to sin. If we do not stand up for the truth, we are like wells that are polluted and the walls broken. Like such a useless well, which cannot provide life refreshing water, a cowardly person cannot offer life reviving truths. Essentially, this verse urges us to stand up and be a faithful witness to the truth in words and in conduct. As we stay uncompromised as far as the truth is concerned, we give no room for sinners to bring an accusation against the LORD.

Verses 27-28 warn against a life that is lacking self-control. Honey is tasty and have good effect for life. However, over-consuming it can be counter-effective. Like honey, to have a glory in the right proportion can bring positive effect on a person, but to be overly engrossed in seeking glory for oneself will lead to self-aggrandisement and eventually self-delusion that he is everything. A person who has no self-restraint is like a defenceless city with broken walls. He cannot deal with his or her personal impulses. Such a person is weak indeed. Self-control is strength.

We need to deal with all four areas if we are to have total wholeness. If we don't have victory over them, it will affect our total wholeness. The ultimate victory we desire to have in life dictates that we must have incremental victory in the sum total of all areas of our life. Remember, a big door swings on small hinges

Proverbs 25:18-22 – Building great interpersonal relationship

It is rightly said that we should treasure relationships and not earthly possessions. And there are only two broad categories of relationships in life - the vertical and the horizontal. Of paramount importance is our vertical relationship with God. For us who love Him, He must always be the top most priority in life for all seasons. In congenial or the non-congenial time, we won’t allow anything to disrupt our faith and trust in Him. We must also not allow anything to alter our love for Him. Having placed Him right there on the top of our list, we now have to consider all other horizontal relationships. With regards to this, we know that there are different levels of earthly relationships. The depth of how we should relate with each one will depend on the closeness we have with each one. What are the levels in our earthly relationships?  Relationships between parents and children, husbands and wives, siblings, extended family members, in-laws, friends, neighbors, colleagues, associates, and strangers. These are the different categories of horizontal relationships. And we are required to rightly appraise each and allow God to enable each one to bring to fruition the plan and purpose He has for our life.

Proverbs 25:18-22 provide us with tips on how to handle inter-personal relationships. In verse 18, we are taught how not to offend our neighbor. We must not bear false witness against our neighbors, more aptly our fellowmen. When we do that we hurt them needlessly. Remember, the last of the Ten Commandments also urges us not to bear false witness against our neighbors. Why? Untruthful accounts can hurt just as badly as those weapons of war such as club, swords and sharp arrows. They can bring irreparable damage to a relationship.

In verse 19, we are shown one thing we must be careful in our relationship. We must not have misplaced confidence. We must certainly seek to trust others, but to place our confidence in an unreliable and untrustworthy person is foolhardy.  To put confidence in such a person is like having a rotten tooth or a sprained ankle. Such a person is of no help in time of trouble.

Verse 20 tells us to appropriately relate with people. For example, telling a joke in time of a person’s bereavement is untimely and unfitting. When a person’s heart is heavy with grief, levity is certainly inappropriate. It is like taking off one’s garment on a cold winter day. Pouring vinegar over soda will cause fermentation and make the soda to become sour and unfit for drinking. To try and cheer a person and make light of a grave situation is repulsive to anyone going through grief or in a foul tirade.

Verses 21-22 teach us how to disarm animosity in hostile relationships. When we do not repay evil for evil but instead repay good for evil, we put the offending person off guard. When we choose to offer pleasantries instead of trading insult for insult, we destabilize his animus towards us. Unexpected friendly actions to someone hostile can bring a calming effect in a heated situation.  It is like putting burning coal on his head. When we do that his anger may turn to remorse and regret. What’s wonderful is that we will please our Jehovah God who has asked us to love our enemies as ourselves. God is waiting to reward us as we walk in obedience even in this aspect of life.

Proverbs 25:11-17 – Concerning speech and lifestyle moderation

Wisdom in the book of Proverbs is seen in cultivating right relationship. It is about right relationship first of all with God, then with others. A person who knows how to relate with others harmoniously is considered wise. Whether in attitude, in words or in actions, a person of wisdom seeks to relate with others harmoniously. In Proverbs 25:11-15, we are given five tips on what constitute a good speech. When they are rightly applied in our rapport with others, we will build goodwill and a harmonious relationship.

In verse 11, the advice is to speak appropriately. Speaking appropriately is like nice trimmings that enhance and add value to something beautiful. Right words for the right occasion is important. A friendship is enhanced when we speak aptly and appropriately. Haven’t we seen how a relationship is ruined by the wrong words spoken unfittingly? It takes considerateness to speak fittingly. We must never shoot our mouth without evaluating the appropriateness of what we are about to say. No wonder James in his letter instructs us to be “slow to speak.”  Always think before we say anything.

Verse 12 tells us that there is value in correction but they must be done tactfully. We must be honest when correcting, but we must learn to be diplomatic. Some people tend to be brutally frank and that can be offensive. The level of frankness ought to commensurate with the degree of closeness one has with the person one is correcting. When our words are appropriately, truthfully, sincerely and measuredly given, they will be willingly received. Such words are like fine gold ornaments that are valuable.

Verse 13 says that when we are called upon to relay a message, we must ensure the accuracy of the message we are conveying. Misrepresenting a message is a common cause of deep misunderstanding. When we misrepresent a person who has entrusted us with the assignment, we prove to be an unreliable messenger. This verse encourages us to be a responsible and faithful messenger when we are entrusted to convey a message. Being a good messenger invigorates the sender like snow that refreshes the laborers, weltering in the heat in a hot harvest day.

Verse 14 is in effect telling us to make good on the promises we have made. One becomes an empty talker when he or she fails to deliver on what one has promised. It is better to be long on deliverance and short on promising, rather than the other way around. A braggart who can’t make good his words is like an empty cloud that has no rain.  Remember what they say, “Empty vessels make the most noise.”

Verse 15 advises us not to be too easily provoked. The call is to be forbearing, stay cool and calm and don’t needlessly fly off the handle. When we stay calm and collect, it is easier to pacify a person in the height of his anger. When dealing with someone who has lost his temper, all the more one should stay composed.  Otherwise the heatedness will escalate and a longer cooling time will be required. A gentle word in an agitated situation has a better chance of bringing peace, than a harsh and insensitive word spoken out of anger. Remember to stay unruffled no matter how heated an argument may be.

Verses 16-17 provide principles that are unrelated to one’s speech pattern. The one message of these two verses is a call to act with temperance and in moderation. The first is an advice not to over-indulge in food and the second not to over associate.  No matter how delicious food may be, overeating will cause one to reach a point of indigestion. When that happens, the good food eaten will be thrown out in vomit. Like speaking, we must also speak in moderation.

Concerning associating and fellowshipping, we must also learn not to overstay our welcome. Here the wise counsel is not to associate to a point where people loathe our presence. Thinking about temperance and moderation, we know it should also apply to the conversation we engage in. We must learn to speak moderately and measuredly. Never talk so much till a conversation becomes a murmuring, gripping, gossiping and complaining session. Take to heart the wise words of Solomon from the last part of Ecclesiastes 5:2, “…let your words be few.” We must learn to speak few but needful words!

Proverbs 25:6-10 – Needful etiquette in life

As we have established that Proverbs 25 was about counsel on how kings and subjects should conduct themselves. By extension, it will be so in our roles as leaders or followers in any given situation. Bear in mind that in life we all have leaders. At home, in school, at work or play and even in sport and playing team games, we always have leaders to lead us. They come in the form of our parents, our teachers, our pastors, our coaches, our captains, our bosses and superiors, and of course all in governmental authority. What sort of behaviours should we exercise to enhance our respect and relationship to those over us? In five verses from Proverbs 25:6-10 we are offered three admonitions on how to ensure good relationship with our leaders.  

Firstly, in verses 6-7 we are told to recognize our place and position and not to step out of line. This is so when you are invited before dignitaries. It is always better to stay humble and not be presumptuous. Do not go for the best seat before a dignitary or you may be humiliated when you are asked to take a lower position. By being humble we avoid being humiliated. It is always better to be invited to take a prestigious place, than to presumptively assume one has the right to sit there. Isn’t this what the Lord Jesus taught in Luke 14:7-11 in his parable of the Guests? He concluded in the parable in Luke 14:11 by saying, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Secondly, in verse 8, we are urged not to be contentious. We must not be aggressive in dealing with our equal.  We must not bring a charge against a fellowman without a sound basis. Unless and until we have all the facts on our side and our charge is fail-proof, we should never accuse anyone of anything. Or else we may be put to shame when proven wrong.

Thirdly, in verses 9-10, we are advised not to betray confidence. In our gossipy culture, people have the tendency to spread what they hear. The temptation is always to tell on other’s weakness. It becomes worst when we reveal the secret of someone we had an argument with. Remember the ill you whisper of someone may be revealed by the person to whom you spoke to. This will ruin your reputation as a slanderer and tale-bearer. 

Proverbs 25:1-5 – Wisdom in leadership

Proverbs 25:1 tells us that King Hezekiah had his men retrieve Solomon’s wise counsels, probably from the national archive, and had them transcribed. The reasons why Solomon wrote these sound advices was to provide tips for a king and his subjects to build better relationship. But for our purpose, we will see this in the context of leadership and their followers’ perspective. From the inspired and wise counsels of Solomon, valuable principles can be gleaned to help cultivate a more fulfilling relationship between leaders and the people who follow their leadership. There are also wise tips for followers so that they can rightly relate with their leaders. The objective of these counsels is to ensure godly leaders as well as godly followers.

The glory of God is found in the way He governs the universe. He operates from the invisible realm and hence His inscrutable ways are not patently clear. It requires much searching and discerning in order to rightly apply His ways for the precise moment in life. A godly leader and wise leader will spare no effort to search the wisdom of God and clearly implement them in their leadership. Thinking of verse 2, some obvious questions any reasonable person will ask of are: “Why does God conceal things from us?”  “Won’t it be much easier if we can see His ways more clearly?” The reason is obvious. The things that we do not take the time or the effort to uncover, we often treasure less. They will not be held with the same value as things we make the time and spare no effort to uncover. Things we make time and effort to discover are usually richer and more meaningful. We will treasure and cherish them more deeply when we have to discover them.  

From verse 3, we surmise that human leaders, unlike God, operate in the physical realm. Dealing with humans, unclear and unintelligent policies are not helpful to one’s leadership. If a leader does not make clear his policies, it is hard to fully fathom his heart and his thinking. Hence a wise leader will make his policies clear, so that his followers will know where he is leading them to and need not second guess his intentions. Meanwhile a follower must not presume on the kindness of a leader. Do not take things for granted. A leader may change at any moment. The call is to be flexible and adaptable to changes.

Proverbs 25:4-5 tell leaders that their principles and policies must be righteous and in keeping with divine principles revealed in God’s Word. To have a pure silver ware, a silver smith will have to remove the dross from the silver in the process of making that pure ware. In the same way, a good leader must be free from wicked influence. One’s leadership can never be wholesome, when the advice a leader has, comes from wicked advisers. What wise counsel for effective and sound leadership!  When wicked influences are removed from a leader, righteousness in the way he leads will be the obvious. In exercising our leadership, Psalms 55:22 urges us to “Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.”

Proverbs 24:30-34 – The inevitable consequence of laziness

Simply defined, the word slothfulness means laziness. More than most verses in the Bible, Proverbs 24:30-34 provide us with the clearest description of the consequence of a lazy person. The author describes the deplorable result of laziness by way of a parable. If we can give it a title to these verses, it should be this: “The terrible consequence of a lazy bum.”  This composition is the result of the author’s observation of what happens to a person who chose laziness over diligence. He did not make it clear whether this is a fictional or an actual account of a person who refuses to work. But be it a fictional or an actual account, the result, without a doubt, will play itself out in real life experience.

The deplorable condition of the field and the vineyard described here were unkempt. It was not illogical for the author to conclude that they belonged to people who were lazy, as well as lacking sense. The field and vineyard were so appalling. They were overrun by thick weeds and thistles. Stones were strewn all over the surface of the ground and even the wall had broken down. So totally unkempt were they that what the author saw was truly an annoying sight. The sluggard here did not have the good sense to perceive that he needed to be diligent and hard-working, so that the land might flourish and be profitable to him.  

As the author reflected and considered what he saw, he came to the conclusion concerning the patterns of a lazy bum.  He had adopted a lifestyle of idleness. He would rather fold his arms and waste his time by doing nothing, rather than engaging in needful works. He places sleep at the top of his priority even though he knows that his time ought to be put to better use. While he engages in idleness, his wealth was stolen blind from him. He didn’t even realize that he had lost all his estate, not because he was robbed, but because of his laziness.

The crux of the message is this: poverty and scarcities will be the inevitable consequence of one who is lazy. In other words, if we will not seize our time or opportunity to do what is needful, this will be the expected end. That’s why we must redeem the opportunity and make the most of our time. We must seize the day and redeem the time!

Proverbs 24:27-29 – Some perspectives for life and relationship

Life presents itself in all sorts of situations. By studying the book of Proverbs, we receive practical wisdom on how to deal with each one wisely. There are so many spiritual gems in this book waiting to be mined so that we will know how to act, and so live our life with distinction. Whether it be about the home, marriage, work, recreation, or relationship, we are never poorer if we seek the counsel of this book that is full of divine wisdom. In three verses, Proverbs 24:27-29 give us three sensible perspectives on three different situations. And then tell us what we should do with each one of them.

In verse 27, the counsel is on what to do if one contemplates establishing a stable home. Before one decides to get into marriage, the first thing to do is to make sure that one has the means to support a wife, build and maintain a family. The man who wants to do this must first ensure that he works hard. In agriculture language, this verse encourages a man to be sure that he establishes his career before he gets married, starts a family and builds a home. The idea is about being prepared before one jumps into such a major commitment. Isn’t this what the Lord Jesus said in challenging believers on being a good disciple of his? In Luke 14:28-30, he said, “For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who observe it begin to ridicule him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’”  Whoever wants a stable marriage and a comfortable home must ensure that he has counted the cost and prepared himself, before he makes that commitment. A good and successful marriage not only requires romantic passion but also financial viability.

Verse 28 shows us what not to do when we are called to verify a truth. We are not to be flippant in giving testimony. Speaking untruly can injure a person’s reputation unnecessarily. The counsel here is for us not to be malicious or slanderous. No one should offer to be a witness to something he doesn’t know. To do so would be running the risk of being deceitful.

Verse 29 urges us not to be vindictive. Let’s not do life with a “tit for tat” attitude. To have an “eye for an eye” lifestyle seems very human. But this verse urges us not to adopt this pattern of living. The three words “Do not say…” debunk the need to do to others what they have done to us. As followers of Christ, we must be mindful of what he has said. He calls us to love our neighbours as ourselves. In Romans 12:18-19, Paul counsels us this way, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.” We should not repay evil for evil. For that is what an animal would do. And if we should only repay good for good, we are doing just what any ordinary human being would do. But if we repay evil for good we will be doing what the devil would do. Let us learn to repay good even when we are treated badly. For that is exactly what God in Christ has done.  

Proverbs 24:23-26 – Be impartial

Healthy inter-personal relationship is nurtured by impartiality. Conscious of it or not, everyone of us views situations and things with some bias. If we are fair and impartial, we gain trust from the people we relate with. When we are trustworthy, it will promote trust that lead to better interaction. As God’s children and people of His Kingdom, the LORD expects us to be impartial like Him. There are many verses in the Bible which encourage us to be impartial. Remember James 2:1 instructs us this way: “My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favouritism.” We need to exercise impartiality, especially when we are called upon to mediate a misunderstanding. Proverbs 24:23-26 reiterate this same principle. This is a trait that people with godly wisdom will exercise.

Proverbs 24:23-26 make it explicitly clear that people who administer justice must be impartial. We must say the right thing honestly so that a wrong can be corrected and a right can be vindicated. When we unfairly exonerate a guilty person and unjustly adjudicate a person to be guilty when he is not, we have shown partiality. Miscarriage of any justice will always lead to insecurity. When a leader show impartiality and reprove the guilty, it will create a conducive condition for the culpable person to be changed. If we do not deal with the guilty person rightly, we starve him or her of the opportunity to be transformed. Verse 25 promises blessing to one who shows fairness and impartiality. Godly wisdom enables us to be impartial and helps us to be honest, diplomatic and tactfully frank. And when we lean on God to help mediate a situation justly, our words are likened to a kiss, a biblical gesture of friendship.

Remember God expects us to speak words of truth and not words of compromise. Speaking the truth is certainly better than white washing a wrong. Words of make believe only let the guilty person go away thinking he has done nothing wrong. Be fair and impartial in life’s dealing!   

Proverbs 24:10-12 – Be active in rescuing others

In Proverbs 24:10-12, we hear God’s call to be bold and courageous to help the weak and rescue the perishing. The church is a community of people called-out of the world to embrace the Lordship of Christ and to live by a different standard. The values we hold and live by, are based on divine principles derived from God’s Word. And because our values are different from that of the world, we will face hostility. People will come against us and our fellow believers. As members of the believers’ community, we are expected to come to our fellow brother or sister’s defence. In God’s family, we are to be each other’s protector. We must be each other’s keeper. He has granted us strength to live a godly life in this perilous time. We must exercise that divine boldness and do what is right. God expects us to exercise boldness to help our fellow believers in the spiritual journey. We show a lack of strength and character when we fail to speak out for self or others in times of distress.

And while we are assisting our fellow believer’s life, we must also be mindful of the many that are still outside of the Kingdom of God. Many of whom are our friends and biological family members and people within the sphere of our influence. But as long as they are outside of God’s Kingdom, they need to be rescued from the trap of the evil one. The Bible is clear that they are tottering at the brink of spiritual death and need to be rescued. We who have the truth of the Gospel will be failing in our duty by not seeking to rescue them from their plight. God expects us to be involved in His divine rescue operation. So long as they are within our reach, God will hold us responsible for not seeking to help them out of death trap. No amount of excuse will exonerate us from not witnessing to them.

When we see a person in spiritual peril, it is our duty to come to their assistance. There can be no reasonable excuse for not doing so. One can feign ignorance but we can never escape the eye of the LORD, who weighs and knows everyone’s heart. He knows exactly what we are thinking. He can identify our worthless excuses. And we will all be called into accounting for not doing our duty. Know that we are God’s ambassadors in the world today. We must encourage those in the community of faith, but we must also rescue those outside. God will hold us accountable for those we can reach for him and yet fail to do so. We must speak out to encourage, to warn the distress and to rescue the perishing. This is our duty, so let’s do it!

Proverbs 24:3-9 – Why seek wisdom?

Having wisdom is needful to nurture a meaningful, fruitful and fulfilling life. The Bible continually exhorts us to acquire wisdom. Ever wonder what constitutes wisdom? The Word of God rightly tells us that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of all wisdom. Wisdom aptly defined, is the ability to act with sound judgement because of the knowledge and experience one has acquired through an abiding relationship with God. When that relationship deepens over time, one finds the ability to act and live right consistently. Therefore, we must stay connected to God and continue to walk with Him in reverential fear and awe for Him. A person who applies wisdom to his living will find it advantageous. So, in six verses, Proverbs 24:3-9 give us three benefits of exercising wisdom. 

Firstly, wisdom ensures a stable and peaceful home. Wisdom is not only confined to having moral principles but also seen in one’s astuteness. The word “house” in verse 3 is not referring to the physical building one dwells in but the family one establishes. A person with wisdom deploys it to build his home and leaves a rich legacy long after his earthly life has ended. In essence verses 3-4 is telling us that it takes understanding and knowledge to have a great marriage and well-raised children. A well-ordered and peaceful home, where every member finds his or her niche, is more precious that the riches one can acquire.

Secondly, wisdom endows one with strength for victory. The crux of what verses 5-6 is telling us, is that wisdom has the capacity to outdo brute force. Brains will always out-muscle brawn. Using the language of war, these verses tell us that with wisdom one can strategize to maximize his capacity and minimize the opponent’s strength. Wisdom helps us to see what’s coming against us and reveals the resources that are available to us to overcome them. To have wisdom is to have strength.    

Thirdly, wisdom enhances one’s effectiveness. What verses 7-9 convey to us is that wisdom cannot be proven wrong. No amount of words a fool can level at it can change its effectiveness. Wisdom always leaves its accusers speechless. As sure as wisdom will guarantee effectiveness in living, yet a fool will not seek it. He will find it difficult to attain. Not because it is not available to him but because he lacks the desire to want it and the effort to go for it. Instead of seeking wisdom, a fool will create strife and confusion through his many schemes of mischief. He channels his energy to act cunningly and his act will not only be an abomination to God but also to men.   Thankfully, Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 1:24 that Christ is the power and the wisdom of God for us who believe. Knowing Christ brings wisdom and hope in life.   

Proverbs 24:1-2 – Pay attention who you emulate in life

People do attract us. And we find it hard to resist emulating some characters, especially those who are doing well in life. But we need to take note that some people do use dubious means to achieve their status. Just because they do well is not an indication that what they do is always right. So, as we seek to find someone to emulate, we must rightly discern the model we are attracted to.  Hear what Proverbs 24:1-2 have to say:

“Do not be envious of evil men,

Nor desire to be with them;

For their minds devise violence,

and their lips talk of trouble.”

Take note that the mood in verse 1 is translated in the imperative. “Do not be envious…” is a command, not an option. It tells us not to be captivated by the attractiveness of men who practice evil. We must not be envious of how they conduct their life no matter how well to do they may be. When we are not envious of their life, we will not emulate or be attracted by the ways they conduct their life.

Verse 1 also gives us a hint on the key that will prevent us from being enticed. The key is to watch our desire. The desire of our heart is often the first place we are being captured. We are drawn to the things our heart so desires. What captures our heart captures our mind and us! When our desire has overtaken our rationality, we will be driven to do anything thoughtlessly. That’s why we must watch over our heart. As we do so, we run into less risk of being attracted by the evil thing that those evil men would do.  

Having given the command not to run with the dubious or emulate their ways, verse 2 then tells us why we should not be envious of evil men or run with them. It is because they are always devising and scheming evil ways. And what they speak always spell trouble. If we want a life of peace, a life that others will respect, we need to keep away from evil people.

In 1 Corinthians 15:33, Paul resounded the same sentiment. He said, “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals.’” His warning to the believers at the Church in Corinth is still as relevant and needful for us in the 21^st Century church today. Its meaning is so straight forward. There is no ambiguity. In the Contemporary English Version of the Bible, this verse is translated this way: “Don’t fool yourselves. Bad friends will destroy you.”  It is so true, the company we keep will certainly have impact on us. Our choices in life are often influenced by the company we keep. So, may the words of Paul’s warning in 1 Corinthians 15:33 etch deeply in our heart. “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals.’”  

Proverbs 23:31-35 – Why stay sober?

Proverbs 23:29-30 describe the sorry state drunkenness can put a person into. And the Bible tells us not to be drunk with wine which is debauchery. So, in verses 31-35 we see an admonition why we should turn away from binging on alcohol. Like all temptations, the eye is always the first gate the enticement begins. Hence, in verse 31 the teacher warns us not to be led astray by the attractiveness of wine. The bright sparkling colour of the wine may be appealing and the taste may be as smooth as silk as it cascades down one’s throat. But alas, the effect can be devastating when one is unwittingly baited and begins to guzzle it uncontrollably. Verse 32 talks about the effect of excessive alcohol. It is as bad as being bitten by a viper, a poisonous snake.

In Proverbs 23:33-35, we see the elaboration of the effect of over-indulgence with wine. Firstly, it will distort one’s perception. A drunkard will begin to see strange things that are not even there. Secondly, it causes one to speak perversely and uncontrollably. That’s because his mind will be so overtaken and his ideas will be all jumbo-mumbo, confused and distorted. Unable to have a hold of his thoughts, a drunkard will utter uncontrollably things he will not usually say when he is in full possession of his mind and senses.

Thirdly, verse 34 portrays a drunkard’s incapacity to balance himself. He feels as if he is lying in the midst of a tossing sea and will even become oblivious to the surrounding. And fourthly in that drunken state, he becomes unconscious of the presence of dangers.  And his inebriated condition will cause him to attempt risky endeavors that are not only hazardous but also perilous. Fifthly, verse 35 tells us that a drunkard will feel the terrible impact of his hangover. When a drunkard awakes from his drunken stupor, he may see the inflicted wounds and feel the pain, but he will have no idea of what had caused them. And when he is overtaken by the habit of drinking, he will lose total control of good sense. Shrugging off all the needless pain inflicted by his drunkenness, his senseless habit will cause him to go for yet another drink.  

These verses constitute a call to remain sober minded. Sobriety is the opposite of being intoxicated. It adds value to life. It gives us hope and helps us to think straight. It also provides for us a peace of mind and assists us in building self-esteem and respect.  On top of all these, sobriety also promotes the cultivation of a good conscience, and imbues in us self-confidence. No wonder the Word of God urges us to stay sober. We should not be intoxicated by wine but we must also not be intoxicated by the problems of life and work. We must stay sober and watchful for the purpose of prayer.    

Proverbs 23:29-30 – The tale of a drunkard

Wine, like fire, is a good servant but a bad master. When a person is intoxicated with wine, he gives reign to debauchery. He falls into despair and loses self-control that will lead to self-contempt. A drunkard falls into confusion, when sobers up will have a deep sense of guilt. In modern setting, there is a possibility to be overwhelmed by worries, anxieties and problems. Some people believe that alcohol is the solution and are then driven to excessive drinking to a point of drunkenness. In Proverbs 23:29-3o we see the tale of a drunkard. It is a sober warning against becoming a drunkard.

In Proverbs 23:29, a series of six questions was asked. Each of these questions is intended to force a person to think carefully before he embarks on an alcoholic binge. Each question is a hint on a certain aspect of negative effect of being a drunkard. The first, “Who has woe?” warns of the danger a person puts himself in when he becomes drunk. The second, “Who has sorrow?” suggests that drunkenness will bring about needless lamentation. The third, “Who has contention?” tells us that a drunkard is rendered insensitive to reasoning and hence, comes under the delusion that he had been wronged and becomes quarrelsome. The fourth, “Who has complaining?” insinuates that under the influence of alcohol, a person will entertain self-pity. The false sense of being unjustly treated will lead him to complain about almost everything. The fifth, “Who has trouble without cause?” tells us that a drunkard will become aggressive and pick a fight with others and end up in troubles and being wounded for nothing. And the sixth, “Who has redness of eyes?” pictures a person with distorted features. His eyes become abnormally red due to the excessive drinking.  

Verse 30 then gives the answer to the questions raised in verse 29. It is “Those who linger long over wine, those who go to taste mixed wine.” Wine-bibber are those that would become susceptible to negative effect alluded to by the six questions asked in verse 29. What these two verses seek to tell us is this: strong alcoholic drinks create addiction, and addiction brings needless troubles. So, think hard before you become addicted to alcohol, become a drunkard and act foolishly. This wise advice is bluntly echoed in the imperative by the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 5:18, “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery….” As believers, Paul exhorts us to “…be filled with the Spirit” instead. When we are filled with the Spirit of God, we place ourselves in the position to follow God in His ways that will lead us to magnify Him and bring honour to His name.

Proverbs 23:26-28 – The call to sexual purity

Our relationship with God demands that we live a morally pure life, especially in the area of sexual purity. The Apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 4:13 puts it this way, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from unchastity (or sexual immorality).” Sexual intimacy must be exercised within the confine of a marriage. The Bible tells us that sexual intimacy is an activity that is allowable only for a man and a woman who are married to each other.

On deeper reflection we cannot deny that the problem of sexual sin is not so much in the act, as it is in the human heart and motive. So, regarding this issue, Proverbs 23:26 calls our attention to the heart. Let’s treat this verse as a personal word of our Heavenly Father to us. He is calling for our attention in the matter of sexual purity. To give Him our heart is by way of calling for our commitment and total attention to this matter. Notice the call is for us, His children, to observe His pure ways and to walk in them. His instruction on this matter abound in the Word of God.   

Verses 27-28 indicate that there are two ways that a man can be trapped in sexual impurity. One, he can engage the service of a prostitute. Two, he can be tempted into a tryst when he is seduced by a seductress or an adulteress. Whether one engages the service of a prostitute or be involved in an illicit relationship with a seductress, there are dangers. Verse 26 refers to the danger as falling into a deep pit. This is borrowed from the hunting activity. A hunter would often create a pit to trap a prey. Once a victim falls into it there is no way to get out. Verse 27 refers to the danger of a tryst as an encounter with a robber, who operates covertly. Once a person is caught in an illicit relationship, faithfulness to one’s spouse is in question. There is no way one can remain faithful when caught in such a circumstance. Soul-tie in an adulterous relationship is a bondage that’s hard to break.

            

God wants us to live a holy and pure life. The Bible puts it explicitly in Titus 2:11-12 saying, “For the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all men, training us to renounce irreligion and worldly passions, and to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world.”  Three things we must consistently take care, (1) our relationship with God, (2) our relationship with our spouse, and (3) our God’s reputation. And let’s be watchful over our life – be it the heart, the mind, the eyes, the ears or the lips.