Proverbs 18:20 (ESV)
From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied;
he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.
This proverb is a theme that Solomon has touched on many times in Proverbs. In Proverbs 12:14 he says basically the same thing:
Proverbs 12:14
From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good,
and the work of a man's hand comes back to him.
In verse seven of this same chapter he speaks to the opposite side of this proverb by telling us a fool's mouth yields nothing for him:
Proverbs 18:7
A fool's mouth is his ruin,
and his lips are a snare to his soul.
So, what can we learn here in 18:20? Solomon is telling us what can happen when we use our language and our tongue productively. But, before we speak to that thought let's also recall the connection Solomon makes between the tongue and the heart. We have to remember that a proper tongue flows from a pure heart. So, Solomon's thought here is that a pure heart, channeled through a proper tongue will produce food for the stomach. Lips aren't only for consuming, according to Solomon. They are also for communication. Good communication allows us to get jobs, to earn a living in sales, to produce fruit by teamwork, and to convince others of our thoughts that makes us leaders. Fruit from the mouth comes from faith in the heart. We can be thankful that God produces fruit when we believe from the heart. Communication carries consequences. We can't speak words that hurt and not expect hurt in return. Perhaps James was reading these proverbs when he wrote the following. He shows us the power of the tongue:
James 3:3-5
If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.
How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!
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