Proverb for the Day 16:21 - Wise Heart...Gracious Lips - What a Way to Live! - Helping Up Mission (2024)

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Proverb for the Day 16:21 - Wise Heart...Gracious Lips - What a Way to Live! - Helping Up Mission? ›

Proverb for the Day 16:21 — Wise Heart…Gracious Lips — What a Way to Live! The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction. This proverb discusses two positive qualities — “wise hearts” and “gracious words (literally “lips)” — that we should all want in our lives.

This proverb presents great men and women – a wise heart that is recognized by others – and gracious speech to communicate it to them. By these two means, you can nobly improve the lives around you to God's glory.

Human nature can lead us to arrogance and ignorance. Failure to seek God's will or examine our own motives can lead to disaster. Despite what a person might tell themselves, the Lord sees the heart, weighs the spirit, and determines what will happen. The Lord is sovereign; He has a purpose for everything He created.

ESV Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. NIV Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. NASB Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

The phrase "wise of heart," as used here, suggests both factual and emotional discernment. A person recognized for their knowledge has a good reputation (Proverbs 3:3–4). Even more influential, however, is the person who pairs that discernment with carefully considered loving words (Proverbs 15:1).

The Living Bible (TLB or LB) is a personal paraphrase, not a translation, of the Bible in English by Kenneth N. Taylor and first published in 1971. Taylor used the American Standard Version of 1901 as his base text. The Living Bible. Full name.

21 The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction. 22 Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent, but folly brings punishment to fools. 23 The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction.

“If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail”. But God, says “ He will direct our steps and establishes them”. So this to me says, Plan, Plan, Plan then watch God take full control of those plans and either shut them down or change the course of those plans.

Proverbs teaches us how to gain wisdom from God's reproofs so that, in the power of the Spirit, we will obey.

Read Proverbs 16

Dear Lord, Thank you Lord that we make our plans but you direct our steps. I am in awe of YOU and all YOU do. Give us favor oh Lord, that even our enemies would be at peace with us.

What does Proverbs say about gracious words promote instruction? ›

Proverbs 16:21-23 New International Version (NIV)

The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction. Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent, but folly brings punishment to fools. The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction.

Proverbs 15:26 – “The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, but gracious words are pure.” God hears our thoughts as clearly as others hear our words.

In Exodus 33:18 Moses pleads with God, “Show me thy glory!” And God answers, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name, Yahweh. And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy to whom I will show mercy.”

To live a life of wisdom, we need to learn how to look for God in every situation. The wise men were looking for God in the stable—which doesn't seem like the most likely place to find Him. But living a life of wisdom is walking with the understanding that God can show up anywhere, anyhow, through anyone.

The wise person has a heart that listens and responds to the teaching of Proverbs and receives God's commands. The wise heart is humble and recognizes that God speaks truth. The fool, on the other hand, is too busy babbling and talking about what he thinks is true.

“The wise in heart are called discerning.” Also translated “understanding,” discernment represents the ability to see “how right choices lead to a meaningful life.” Wisdom and discernment/ understanding go hand-in-hand and are regularly mentioned together in Proverbs.

Proverb for the Day 21:6 — Lying Tongue, Fleeting Vapor, Deadly Snare! November 21, 2014. A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare. This wise saying offers a very strong warning to any and all who are dishonest in their dealings with others.

“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” ( Proverbs 16:33, ESV) This proverb concerns the decision making process. The “lot” here refers to a decision-making device. Casting lots in the Old Testament refers to the practice of throwing dice.

This verse emphasizes that positive, truthful speech has a lasting quality. While the harm done by lies can linger (Proverbs 12:18), dishonesty tends to expose itself (Proverbs 12:13). Lies self-destruct and destroy those who make them. Truth endures because there is nothing deceptive or false about it.