Click to Play
0 plays
Sign in to like or dislike songs
“The heart of the wise instructs his mouth,
and adds learning to his lips.”
— Proverbs 16:23
“A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
— Proverbs 15:1
These two verses form a divine pattern for the use of our tongue. They show us that our words are not accidental; they are the outflow of an inner condition. The heart and the mouth are joined by a spiritual law. Many believers are seeking victory, deliverance, and spiritual authority, but they still use their tongue carelessly. Yet the Bible teaches that the tongue is often the key to life or death, blessing or curse.
The lyrics you have presented simply repeat these two verses. That is very significant. When God repeats something, He is emphasizing it. Here we have the heart and the mouth, wisdom and speech, gentleness and anger, carefully joined together by the Holy Spirit.
The central theme is this:
Wise words are not produced by cleverness of speech, but by a transformed heart that is guided by God. And those wise words carry power—either to turn away wrath or to stir up anger.
Let us look at what the Word of God says, and allow the Holy Spirit to confront us in the deepest area of our daily life: our speech.
---
These proverbs come from the book of Proverbs, traditionally associated with Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel. Solomon was granted unique wisdom by God.
In 1 Kings 3:9, Solomon prayed:
> “Give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people,
> that I may discern between good and evil.”
God answered him:
> “Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart…” (1 Kings 3:12)
The result of that God-given wisdom is recorded particularly in Proverbs. Proverbs is not casual advice. It is covenant instruction. It is wisdom from God given to form the character and conduct of God’s people.
These two specific proverbs (16:23 and 15:1) address a very practical area: speech. Why is this so central?
So Solomon, as a king, prophetically trains God’s people how to rule and walk in wisdom—starting with how they speak. He is not concerned merely with etiquette, but with spiritual authority and consequence.
When Proverbs 15–16 were written, the people of God were surrounded by nations whose speech was often used for flattery, curses, and manipulation. In that context, God sets His people apart by giving them a different standard:
Now we, as New Covenant believers, have an even greater responsibility. Jesus said:
> “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Matthew 12:34)
Solomon set the pattern. Jesus confirmed it. The heart and the tongue are inseparable.
---
We will look at two key expressions:
1. “The heart of the wise instructs his mouth” (Proverbs 16:23)
2. “A gentle answer” (Proverbs 15:1)
### 3.1 “Heart” – לֵב (lev)
“The heart of the wise…”
The Hebrew word לֵב (lev) means much more than our modern word “heart.” It includes:
So when Scripture speaks of the “heart” in Proverbs, it is not talking about emotions alone. It is talking about the inner control center of your life.
Therefore, Proverbs 16:23 is saying:
> “The inner, governing center of a wise person directs his speech.”
This tells us that words are not primarily a matter of technique, but of inner condition. You do not solve the problem of the tongue just by learning better phrases; you solve it by becoming wise in heart.
### 3.2 “Instructs” – שָׂכַל (sakal)
“The heart of the wise instructs his mouth…”
The underlying verb here is related to שָׂכַל (sakal), which carries the idea of being prudent, acting wisely, giving success, causing to understand. It is wisdom applied intelligently and effectively.
So it could be rendered:
> “The wise heart gives prudence to his mouth…
> The wise heart causes his mouth to act wisely…”
The mouth is not meant to be independent. It is to be governed by a wise heart. There is a chain of command: God → heart → mouth.
### 3.3 “Gentle answer” – מַעֲנֶה־רַּךְ (ma‘aneh-rakh)
“A gentle answer turns away wrath…”
So this is not a cowardly answer, but a soft, tender, restrained answer. It is a controlled response. It is the opposite of harsh, sharp, cutting speech.
This word deepens our understanding of the lyrics:
The Hebrew phrase “turns away” (יָשִׁיב – yashiv) means to cause something to return, to turn back, to reverse direction. So a gentle response has the power to:
This is spiritual warfare in the realm of relationships. Anger comes toward you like a weapon. A gentle answer does not equip that weapon; it disarms it.
---
The lyrics repeat two inspired statements. Repetition in Scripture is emphasis. This is not vain repetition; it is covenant training.
### 4.1 “The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.” (Proverbs 16:23)
There are three components here:
1. The heart of the wise
2. Instructs his mouth
3. Adds learning to his lips
#### 4.1.1 The Heart of the Wise
Who is the “wise” in Scripture? Wisdom in Proverbs is not merely intelligence. It is moral and spiritual alignment with God.
Proverbs 9:10:
> “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
> and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
A wise heart is a heart that fears the Lord. It is submitted. It recognizes God’s authority. This is where control of the tongue begins—not in self-help methods, but in the fear of the Lord.
James 3:13–17 contrasts two kinds of wisdom:
The wise heart in Proverbs is a heart receiving “wisdom from above.” That wisdom will always be displayed in your speech.
#### 4.1.2 Instructs His Mouth
This is spiritual government. The mouth is not to rule the heart; the heart is to rule the mouth.
Psalm 141:3:
> “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth;
> keep watch over the door of my lips.”
The psalmist recognizes that the mouth has a “door” that must be guarded. The heart of the wise instructs the mouth by applying God’s Word internally before words are spoken externally.
Jesus said in Matthew 12:36:
> “Every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.”
The Greek word for “idle” is argos—unproductive, careless, useless. God holds us accountable not only for evil words, but also for useless ones. Therefore, the wise heart instructs the mouth to avoid:
#### 4.1.3 Adds Learning to His Lips
“Adds learning” indicates growth. The wise do not only speak wisely now; they are becoming increasingly wise in their speech.
Proverbs 10:19:
> “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking,
> but he who restrains his lips is wise.”
Learning is added to the lips by:
Each time the heart submits to wisdom, the lips gain new discipline.
This corresponds to New Testament teaching. Colossians 4:6:
> “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”
Grace-filled, “seasoned” speech is the mark of a mature believer.
### 4.2 “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1)
This verse presents a spiritual law of cause and effect:
#### 4.2.1 A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath
Wrath in Scripture is not only human emotion; it can become a spiritual force. Ephesians 4:26–27:
> “Be angry, and do not sin… nor give place to the devil.”
Anger that is not controlled opens a door to the enemy. A gentle answer can close that door.
Consider:
Jesus practiced this. When He was reviled, He did not revile in return (1 Peter 2:23). That is the supreme gentle answer. He did not yield His tongue to the anger of His accusers.
Gentleness is not weakness; it is strength under control. It is the mark of those who walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:22–23 lists gentleness as a fruit of the Spirit.
#### 4.2.2 A Harsh Word Stirs Up Anger
The opposite is equally true and equally solemn. A “harsh word” (in Hebrew: a “painful,” “hurtful,” hard word) does not merely express anger—it multiplies it.
James 3:5–6 says:
> “See how great a forest a little fire kindles!
> And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity…
> and sets on fire the course of nature;
> and it is set on fire by hell.”
A harsh word is like dropping a spark in dry grass. It may seem small, but it can ignite a fire of contention, resentment, and bitterness that lasts for years, even generations.
Note the spiritual progression:
Many demonic bondages are rooted in words—spoken, received, and never dealt with. Family curses are often transmitted through patterns of speech: belittling, cursing, shaming, sarcastic, or abusive words.
That is why Ephesians 4:29 commands:
> “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth,
> but what is good for necessary edification,
> that it may impart grace to the hearers.”
You either impart grace or you impart corruption. There is no neutral speech in the kingdom of God.
### 4.3 The Repetition in the Lyrics
The song repeats:
> “The heart of the wise instructs his mouth,
> and adds learning to his lips.
> A gentle answer turns away wrath,
> but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
Then it repeats the same four lines again.
This repetition reflects how God trains His people. Deuteronomy 6:6–7:
> “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.
> You shall teach them diligently to your children,
> and shall talk of them when you sit in your house,
> when you walk by the way,
> when you lie down,
> and when you rise up.”
Truth is established by repetition. Many believers need not a new revelation, but repeated application of a simple, powerful truth: Your words must be governed by a wise heart and the fear of the Lord.
Spiritual warfare is not only in the heavenlies. It is in the daily discipline of how we answer:
A gentle answer can prevent a church split. A harsh word can start one.
---
Now we will make this very practical. How do we move from theory to practice? I will give you four steps.
### Step 1: Submit Your Heart to the Fear of the Lord
Since speech flows from the heart, the first issue is not the tongue, but the heart.
Pray deliberately:
Proclamation you can make:
> “Lord, I choose the fear of the Lord.
> I acknowledge that my words matter to You.
> I renounce careless speech, and I submit my heart to Your wisdom.”
Spend time in the Word daily, because wisdom comes through the Word. The more your heart is filled with Scripture, the more it will instruct your mouth.
### Step 2: Invite the Holy Spirit to Guard Your Tongue
You cannot control the tongue in your own strength. James 3:8 says:
> “No man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.”
But what man cannot do, the Holy Spirit can. So you must consciously yield this member of your body to God (Romans 6:13).
Practical action:
Prayer:
> “Holy Spirit, I yield my tongue to You today.
> Be a guard over my mouth and the door of my lips.
> Do not allow me to speak what grieves You.”
Expect Him to check you on the inside just before you speak. When you sense that inner restraint, obey it. Silence can be a powerful act of obedience.
### Step 3: Practice the Gentle Answer in Real Situations
Proverbs is not a theory book; it is a training manual. You must practice.
Deliberately choose one area:
Decide in advance:
“When provoked, I will answer softly, or I will say nothing if I cannot answer gently.”
You will not feel like it. The flesh will want to retaliate. But when you choose a gentle answer, you are:
Keep a simple record for a week:
You will soon see the spiritual law at work.
### Step 4: Renounce Harsh, Cursing, or Destructive Words
Some believers live under the shadow of words spoken in the past—over themselves or by themselves. To walk in freedom, you may need to:
1. Repent of words you have spoken that stirred up anger, wounded others, or cursed yourself or your family.
2. Renounce those words out loud, cancelling their authority in the name of Jesus.
3. Replace them with words of blessing and truth from Scripture.
For example:
“I renounce those words. God has given me a sound mind. I have the mind of Christ.”
Proverbs 18:21:
> “Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
> and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
Decide that from now on, by God’s grace, you will plant life with your words, not death.
---
### Proclamation
Speak this out loud, thoughtfully and deliberately:
> In the name of Jesus, I submit my heart and my mouth to the Lord.
>
> The heart of the wise instructs his mouth
> and adds learning to his lips.
> I declare that my heart will be a wise heart,
> filled with the fear of the Lord and the Word of God.
>
> My heart will instruct my mouth.
> My lips will grow in learning and discipline.
> I renounce every careless, corrupt, and harsh word.
> I refuse to stir up anger with my tongue.
>
> A gentle answer turns away wrath.
> By the power of the Holy Spirit,
> I choose gentle answers.
> I will not repay anger with anger,
> insult with insult,
> but blessing instead.
>
> Death and life are in the power of my tongue.
> In Christ, I choose life.
> I choose to speak words of grace,
> words of truth,
> words that edify and bring peace.
>
> My tongue will no longer be an instrument of the flesh,
> or a tool of the enemy.
> My tongue is an instrument of righteousness,
> to the glory of God.
>
> Amen.
### Prayer
“Father, in the name of Jesus, I bring before You my heart and my tongue. I acknowledge that out of the abundance of my heart my mouth speaks. I ask You for a wise heart, filled with the fear of the Lord.
Holy Spirit, I invite You: set a guard over my mouth, keep watch over the door of my lips. Expose in me every pattern of harsh, bitter, or careless speech. Bring to my mind the words I need to repent of. Where I have stirred up anger, forgive me, and show me how to make things right.
Lord Jesus, cleanse my lips with Your blood. Break every curse, every wound, every bondage that has come through destructive words—whether spoken by me or against me. Replace them with Your truth. Teach me to answer gently, to turn away wrath, and to sow peace.
From this day forward, let my words be instruments of life, healing, and reconciliation. Let the meditation of my heart and the words of my mouth be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.”
No more songs available