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“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 the backbone of the lyrics you’ve presented. They deal with one of the most decisive battlegrounds in the Christian life: the tongue.
Scripture reveals that what we say can bring life or death, blessing or cursing, peace or conflict, healing or wounding. Many believers seek power, anointing, deliverance, or breakthrough, and yet overlook one of the most critical areas God insists on transforming: our speech.
The lyrics simply repeat the Word of God. That is significant. God is calling us to align our mouths with His wisdom. The heart and the mouth are inseparably connected. What is in our heart will ultimately be expressed with our lips. If we want wise words, we must first confront the condition of the heart.
Let us look at what the Word of God says.
---
Both verses come from the book of Proverbs, a collection of divinely inspired sayings largely attributed to Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel.
### Who was speaking?
Solomon was renowned for his God-given wisdom. In 1 Kings 3:9 he prayed:
> “Give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil…”
God answered that prayer and gave him “a wise and understanding heart” (1 Kings 3:12). Proverbs, therefore, is not merely human counsel. It is Spirit-breathed wisdom, passing through a man whom God endowed with extraordinary discernment.
### What was the situation?
Proverbs addresses the training of a people called to walk in covenant with God in the midst of a fallen world. Israel was surrounded by nations marked by idolatry, violence, immorality, and deceit. God’s people were to live differently — in righteousness, justice, and truth — reflecting God’s character in very practical matters: family, finances, justice, relationships, and speech.
In Proverbs 16, Solomon is dealing with issues of the heart, motivations, and divine sovereignty. Verse 23 connects wisdom in the heart with instruction to the mouth. It emphasizes that inner wisdom must govern outer speech.
In Proverbs 15, Solomon contrasts the wise and the foolish in their speech and attitude. Verse 1 shows how a single sentence can either defuse or inflame conflict. It is a deeply practical principle for daily life, yet it is also a spiritual law: the way we speak either gives room to God’s Spirit or to the flesh — and often to demonic influences.
So, picture this: Solomon, anointed with divine wisdom, training God’s people how to live skillfully. He addresses not only what they believe, but what they say; not only what they confess about God, but how they respond to provocation, hostility, and anger.
---
Since we are in Proverbs, we are dealing with Hebrew terms. Two key words are central here:
1. “Heart” – לֵב (lev)
2. “Gentle / Soft” – רַךְ (rakh)
### 1. “Heart” – לֵב (lev)
Proverbs 16:23: “The heart of the wise instructs his mouth…”
The Hebrew lev does not mean only the emotions, as modern usage often suggests. In Hebrew thought, the heart is the inner person: the center of thinking, willing, and feeling. It is the core of character and decision.
Therefore, when Scripture speaks of the “heart of the wise,” it is not referring to a person who occasionally has wise feelings, but to a person whose inner being is shaped by God’s wisdom. That internal wisdom instructs his mouth.
This tells us something important:
The problem of unwise, destructive words is not mainly a “mouth problem.” It is a heart problem.
Jesus confirms this in Matthew 12:34:
> “…out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”
If the heart is full of anger, bitterness, pride, or foolishness, it will eventually come out in words. If the heart is filled with the fear of the Lord, humility, and truth, that will also express itself in speech. The mouth is the loudspeaker of the heart.
### 2. “Gentle / Soft” – רַךְ (rakh)
Proverbs 15:1: “A gentle answer turns away wrath…”
The Hebrew word rakh literally means soft, tender, delicate, as opposed to hard, severe, or harsh. It can describe something physically soft, but here it is applied to tone and manner of speech.
A “soft” or gentle answer is not weak, dishonest, or cowardly. It is controlled, measured, and peace-oriented. It refuses to escalate fleshly anger.
This word helps us understand: God is not only concerned with the *content* of our words, but also with the spirit and tone in which we speak. A person can say something technically true, but in a hard, cutting, self-righteous way — and do great damage.
So these two words together — lev (heart) and rakh (gentle/soft) — show us a pattern:
The lyrics faithfully echo this biblical pattern.
---
Let us walk through the lyrics, relating them to the broader testimony of Scripture.
### “The heart of the wise instructs his mouth,
and adds learning to his lips.”
This is a direct quotation of Proverbs 16:23. Notice the order:
1. Heart
2. Mouth
3. Lips
Wisdom in the heart is the cause; wise speech is the effect.
#### 4.1 The Heart as Teacher
“The heart of the wise instructs his mouth…”
The word “instructs” suggests more than just influence. It speaks of training, discipline, and governance. The wise person does not let his mouth run unchecked. His inner man corrects, guides, and restrains his words.
James 3:2–8 gives a powerful picture of the tongue:
The tongue will not control itself. It must be governed by a wise heart, surrendered to the Holy Spirit.
Psalm 141:3 gives the appropriate response:
> “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth;
> keep watch over the door of my lips!”
The wise believer acknowledges: “My mouth is dangerous if ungoverned. I must put my tongue under God’s rule.”
#### 4.2 “Adds learning to his lips”
This expression means that the wise heart is not static. It is teachable, always growing. As the inner man gains understanding, that understanding is expressed in speech.
Proverbs 10:19 says:
> “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking,
> but he who restrains his lips is wise.”
Wisdom adds “learning” to the lips in at least three ways:
1. Restraint – Speaking less, listening more (James 1:19).
2. Accuracy – Speaking what is true, not speculation or gossip.
3. Edification – Speaking what builds up, not what tears down.
Ephesians 4:29 puts it plainly:
> “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”
So, when the lyrics repeat “The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips,” they are pressing this truth into our consciousness: Wisdom is not visible only in what we know, but in how we speak.
### “A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
Again, this is a direct citation of Proverbs 15:1.
This verse sets before us a kind of spiritual law: your choice of words in a conflict situation either deflects wrath or multiplies it.
#### 4.3 A Gentle Answer: A Weapon of Peace
“A gentle answer turns away wrath…”
This is not psychological theory. It is divine revelation. God tells us plainly: there is a kind of answer that turns away wrath — it diverts it, repels it, drains its power.
Romans 12:21 gives the same principle in broader terms:
> “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
A gentle answer is a practical application of overcoming evil with good. When someone comes at you in anger, accusation, or hostility, your flesh wants to retaliate, defend, attack, or justify yourself. But the Spirit of God calls you to respond gently — not passively lying, but refusing to match their flesh.
Jesus Himself teaches this in Matthew 5:39:
> “But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.”
That does not mean allowing abuse without boundaries; it means refusing to respond in kind. A gentle answer is a form of spiritual warfare. It denies Satan the atmosphere he craves — anger, pride, retaliation — and maintains an atmosphere where the Holy Spirit can move.
Proverbs 25:15 says:
> “By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded,
> and a gentle tongue breaks a bone.”
The “gentle tongue” is not weak. It has astonishing power. It can break through the hardest resistance, the hardest heart, more effectively than aggression.
#### 4.4 A Harsh Word: Fuel for Anger
“…but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
The word “harsh” here refers to words that are painful, cutting, sharp, grievous. They may be emotionally driven, sarcastic, contemptuous, or simply careless. These words stir up anger — the Hebrew suggests they “rouse,” “provoke,” or “excite” it.
Notice:
Wrath may already be present in the other person. Your harsh word then acts like a stick stirring a fire. It may also awaken anger that was dormant, in them and in you.
This is a major doorway for demonic activity. Ephesians 4:26–27 warns:
> “Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath,
> nor give place to the devil.”
Uncontrolled, unresolved anger gives place to the devil. Harsh words stir up that anger — in yourself and in others — thereby opening doors for the enemy.
Many homes, churches, and relationships are under oppression and division not primarily because of gross immorality, but because of unrepented, harsh speech. Families live under curses of rejection, bitterness, and strife because of words spoken in anger and never renounced.
Proverbs 12:18 describes this vividly:
> “There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword,
> but the tongue of the wise promotes health.”
Harsh words are like sword-thrusts. Gentle, wise words are like medicine.
### The Repetition in the Lyrics
Your lyrics repeat the two verses:
> 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.
> (repeated)
Repetition in Scripture is intentional. The Holy Spirit often uses repetition to emphasize importance. When Pharaoh had two similar dreams, Joseph said, “The dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by God” (Genesis 41:32).
The repetition in the lyrics functions similarly: God is establishing this matter. He wants it lodged in our consciousness: wise speech comes from a wise heart, and gentle answers are powerful to avert wrath. Harsh words are dangerous.
This is not a minor issue. It touches righteousness, peace, spiritual authority, family life, and our witness to the world.
---
Wisdom in words is not automatic, even for believers. It requires deliberate cooperation with the Holy Spirit and obedience to Scripture. Here are four practical steps, each accompanied by a proclamation you can adopt.
### Step 1: Submit Your Heart to the Fear of the Lord
Wisdom begins not with technique, but with the fear of the Lord.
Proverbs 9:10:
> “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom…”
If the heart is the source of speech, then the heart must be brought under God’s rule. That means:
Proclamation:
> “Lord, I choose the fear of the Lord. I acknowledge that You hear every word from my mouth. I submit my heart to Your wisdom and Your rule.”
### Step 2: Invite the Holy Spirit to Guard and Govern Your Tongue
The tongue cannot be tamed by human effort alone (James 3:8). It must be brought under the control of the Holy Spirit.
Pray Psalm 141:3 regularly:
> “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.”
Make a conscious decision every day: “My tongue belongs to God.”
Proclamation:
> “Holy Spirit, I yield my tongue to You. Set a guard over my mouth. I refuse to speak out of anger, pride, or bitterness. My mouth will be an instrument of righteousness, not of sin.”
### Step 3: Practice the Law of the Gentle Answer
You must train yourself, by God’s grace, to choose a gentle answer especially when provoked.
This means:
Proclamation:
> “By God’s grace, I will answer gently. I will not return anger for anger or insult for insult. I choose words that turn away wrath and make room for God’s peace.”
### Step 4: Renounce Harsh Words and Break Their Power
Some believers live under the ongoing effect of words spoken long ago — by parents, spouses, leaders, or even by their own mouths. Harsh words can function like curses.
You may need to:
Proclamation:
> “In the name of Jesus, I repent for every harsh, cutting, or bitter word I have spoken. I renounce them and cancel their effect. I also break the power of every harsh, condemning word spoken over me that does not agree with God’s Word. I receive the truth of God’s blessing and reject every curse.”
As you take these steps, you will notice a change in the spiritual atmosphere around you. Peace will begin to replace conflict. Relationships will start to heal. Your authority in prayer will increase, because your tongue is being aligned with God’s purposes.
---
### Proclamation
Speak this aloud, slowly and deliberately:
> “The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.
> I choose to be wise in heart.
> I submit my inner man to the fear of the Lord.
> Out of the abundance of a renewed heart, my mouth will speak.
> A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
> Therefore, in the name of Jesus, I reject harsh, cutting, and bitter speech.
> I choose gentle, truthful, and peace-making words.
> My tongue will not be an instrument of anger, strife, or cursing.
> My tongue will be an instrument of blessing, healing, and edification.
> The Holy Spirit governs my heart and my lips.
> My words will align with the Word of God,
> and my mouth will be filled with wisdom from above,
> which is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and full of mercy.
> In Jesus’ name, amen.”
### Prayer
“Father, in the name of Jesus, I bring my heart and my tongue before You. Your Word says that the heart of the wise instructs his mouth and adds learning to his lips. I ask You to cleanse my heart from bitterness, pride, anger, and foolishness. Fill my inner man with Your wisdom and the fear of the Lord.
Holy Spirit, take control of my tongue. Set a guard over my mouth and keep watch over the door of my lips. Where I have spoken harsh words, I repent. Where I have wounded others with my speech, show me, that I may humble myself and seek reconciliation.
Teach me to give a gentle answer that turns away wrath. Deliver me from the habit of stirring up anger by careless, proud, or cutting words. Let my speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that it may impart grace to those who hear.
I ask that You heal relationships damaged by wrong words, and that You break every curse released through harsh speech — whether spoken by me or over me. Let the blood of Jesus cleanse and cancel every word contrary to Your will.
From this day forward, let my words agree with Your Word. Let the meditation of my heart and the words of my mouth be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. I ask it in the name of Jesus. Amen.”
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