Proverbs 15:7

The book of Proverbs gives us a lot of instruction on a lot of different subjects. One subject that can keep us in God’s wisdom is Godly Follower-ship. Who we follow; where we follow; how we follow are all spoken about in Proverbs. Here is one of them about what God wants for us:

Proverbs 15:7 (ESV)

The lips of the wise spread knowledge;

not so the hearts of fools.

Proverbs 15:11 (ESV)

Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD;

how much more the hearts of the children of man!

Proverbs 15:13-14 (ESV)

A glad heart makes a cheerful face,

but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.

The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,

but the mouths of fools feed on folly.

Proverbs 15:21 (ESV)

Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense (same word as “heart’”),

but a man of understanding walks straight ahead.

Proverbs 15:28 (ESV)

The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,

but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

All the above proverbs from chapter 15 have the word “heart” in them.   Solomon is talking to us about the inner being of a person.   Solomon is NOT concerned about the outward person, except to the extent that the heart is the source for the outward.   Solomon knows that the real work that has to be done in mankind is their heart has to be changed.   We might recall what he wrote that was placed early in the book of Proverbs:

Proverbs 4:23 (ESV)

Keep your heart with all vigilance,

for from it flow the springs of life.

Out of the heart flow the “springs of life.”   This is what the above proverb are trying to tell us.  God is concerned about changing the disposition and the direction of the heart.  We must allow God to make the changes in the heart.    Sociologists want to change our behavior.   Psychologist want to change our mind.   Psychiatrist want to change our chemical balance.   Economist want to change our status in life.   God wants to change the heart.   Solomon is writing to us and telling us that our heart (what we believe and value) determines our behavior, our mind, our balance, and our economic status.