Proverbs 16:23

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about being persuasive:

Proverbs 16:23 (ESV)

The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious

and adds persuasiveness to his lips.

Proverbs 16:23 (NASBStr)

The heart of the wise instructs his mouth

And adds persuasiveness to his lips.

Proverbs 16:23 (NIV)

A wise man’s heart guides his mouth,

and his lips promote instruction.

Solomon (and writers of Scripture in general) use the"heart of the wise", frequently (Solomon uses it four times, himself; see Proverbs 10:8; 16:21; 23:19).  In this proverb Solomon is making a familiar connection: Mouth, Heart, Lips.   The ingredients are familiar, as well: Wisdom, Instruction, Persuasion.   When we have the fear of The Lord in our hearts, we will have instruction coming from our mouths, and that will produce fruit, persuasion, on our lips.   Solomon is a product of this recipe.   The Queen of Sheba came to Solomon seeking wisdom.  Solomon let it role off his lips.   Nebuchadnezzar came to Daniel seeking it.  Daniel let what was in his heart (the fear of The Lord) roll off his tongue.   Joseph spoke the wisdom of his heart to Pharaoh.   If we wish to speak truth to our neighbor we need to have wisdom in our hearts.  If we have wisdom in our hearts we can be assured we will provide truth to those who ask an answer about the hope that is in us.  It all begins with the wisdom in our hearts.  It WILL produce persuasive language that is worthy for our hearers to hear.  In the ESV and NASB translations there seems to be more of an emphasis of "my adding" this to my life.   The character of the Proverbs is that there is more of a connection to the "fear of the Lord" in and the "great speech" out.   The connection of the heart to lips can't be ignored.   Those who have a heart for God can be assured they will have lips of knowledge for those who ask.