“The wise in heart will be called prudent, and sweetness of the lips increases learning. 22 Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it, but the correction of fools is folly. 23 The heart of the wise teaches his mouth and adds learning to his lips. 24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. 25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 16:21-25).
Just as each fruit has its own distinctive characteristics, the wise in heart have common traits. In these five proverbs, Solomon gives four. Yesterday we considered the first two: The wise in heart are prudent teachers (v. 21) and The wise in heart have common sense (v. 22). Let’s consider the last two:
The wise in heart bless others with a knowledgeable and prudent mouth (vv. 23-24). A brook that babbles the loudest is the shallowest, and far too many people demonstrate this by talking when they have nothing meaningful to say. They “converse” because they like to hear the sound of their own voice. A “conversation” with them is usually one-sided and provides no one with any lasting benefit. The prudent mouth engages in conversations which nourish the mind and soul. When a “crucial conversation” about a serious matter is the need of the hour, the wise in heart wound their friend in honesty (Prov. 27:17) for the purpose of healing, not hurting. “There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health” (Proverbs l2:18). Speaking the truth in love and kindness is essential.
The wise in heart do not trust their own wisdom; they trust God’s (v. 25). Distrust of your own limited, flawed, and imperfect knowledge of good and evil is essential, especially since God’s vast storehouse is unlimited, holy, and perfect. Since the Garden of Eden, the decision to ignore God’s instructions and disobey His commands by the first couple has been repeated and repeated by every one of their offspring. Every time this has occurred, the outcome has been spiritually disastrous. The wise in heart take this truth to heart so they can avoid the way of death and its eternal separation from God.
