WISDOM IN OUR HEARTS (4)

“The HEART of the WISE teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips” – Proverbs 16:23

Good and gracious communication flows from the preparation of WISDOM in OUR HEARTS: “The HEART of the WISE teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips” (Pro.16:23). The first verse of this chapter says: “The PREPARATIONS of the HEART belong to man, but the power of the tongue is from the Lord” (v.1). The wise hearted cannot hide their wisdom; it is obvious by their speech. Wise persons do not waste wisdom; they teach their mouths and lips to speak graciously and productively. How a person communicates says more about his or her degree of wisdom or folly than any other action. Fools cannot hide their stupidity, for their words reveal their folly quickly and surely: “The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool shall swallow him up; the words of his mouth begin with foolishness, and the end of his talk is raving madness” (Ecc.10:12-13).

Greatness in the sight of God and men, and sound success in life come from an upright heart, where all the issues of life begin: “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life” (Pro.4:23). Our Lord Jesus says, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things” (Mt.12:34b-35). He says further: “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies” (Mt.15:18-19). Wise intentions in the heart will teach and transform the rest of the person, especially the speech.

The tongue holds great value in connection with Wisdom in the Heart. Because words are so obvious to others and carry such an impact for good or evil, excellent speech is a highly desired virtue that originates from the heart: “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit” (Pro.15:4). The wise-hearted person knows the danger of unrestrained speaking: “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise” (Pro.10:19). Even fools appear wise, when they are silent: “He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; when he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive” (Pro.17:27-28). Silence is golden!

The tongue can do great good or harm: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Pro.18:21). Excellent words are endearing: “A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, and a word spoken in due season, how good it is!” (Pro.15:23). “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver” (Pro.25:11); hence, the wise-hearted reflects before speaking: “The HEART of the righteous studies how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil” (Pro.15:28). Talking in the heat of emotion is foolish. “He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him” (Pro.18:13). Hasty speech is the height of folly: “Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him” (Pro.29:20).

Wise words are gracious, because they flow from a pure heart; even royalty desires and favours such speakers: “He who loves purity of heart and has grace on his lips, the king will be his friend” (Pro.22:11). Ecclesiastes 10:12 buttresses this, “The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool shall swallow him up.” Paul wrote in the same vein: “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Col.4:6). What kinds of words are being prepared in our hearts and communicated through our lips – wise, edifying, and gracious or foolish, destructive, and toxic?