Proverbs 16:21-24, Tactful or Tactless!

October 31, Proverbs 16:21-24

John 4:13-15; 17:3; 2:1-4 “This wisdom is life “to him that hath it.”

Tactful or Tactless!

The thread of “good words and the blessing they bring” runs through all these verses and gives them a “sweet” fragrance. Alexander Maclaren called these verses, “A Bundle of Proverbs.” Read them over a few times and note this sweet connection. “Religion without head is fire without wood.” We treat 21-22 today.

1. The Precious: The word prudent, here, means to be intelligent or discerning. This is the hallmark of the wise in heart (v.21), and of the person of understanding (22). It is compared to sweetness of lips (21, 24) and a wellspring of life (22). Never lose sight of the fact that wisdom is the result of the fear of the Lord. Without that, the cleverest man in the world is, in the judgment of Solomon, a fool! Only the understanding, another word used for prudence or good sense, that discerns and rightly confronts the deepest human needs, namely, our relation to God and our sins, is a precious wellspring of life (v.22). “He who is wise will gain respect; but if he should also possess a pleasant manner of imparting his wisdom, he will be a more efficient teacher” (RTS). Happy indeed is the speech that motivates the hearers with longing to increase the learning that throws light on all the vital issues of life and death. It is sad but true that “the pervading want of prudence gives needless offense to the gospel” (Bridges). In a missionary letter we received, there was a quotation from Martyn Lloyd-Jones. He said, “Be wise in the way in which you introduce the gospel, and bear your witness. Pray to God to give you wisdom that you may testify truly.” That sweet eloquence must, however, have its source in the heavenly wellspring. Such prudence comes not from without, but from above, from the Infinite God, and raises its hearers to its Source.

2. The Pernicious: The instruction of fools is folly. Instruction also carries the idea of correction or discipline. When fools are corrected it seems only to increase their self-delusion. Wisdom is active in life, and so is folly, but instead of blessing, folly brings only blight. This is the difference between the wisdom that touches the heart and the “wisdom” (folly) that is all in the head. Many fools who have set themselves as interpreters, yet there is no “light” in them. So many “wise men” are really fools because there is no fear of God before their eyes. Of spiritual matters and true religion they are ignorant. Such is the blight of Heathenism (Jer. 10), of man’s philosophy (Rom. 1:21-25), of Hedonism, ancient or modern. They are all blind leaders of the blind, and all fall into their own ditch (Mt. 15:14). Peter had it right when he said, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life (Jn. 6:68). Yet, fools still exert powerful influences over the minds of many, especially the young. Well may we remember that, “There is nothing that is good to be gotten from a fool” (Henry). No matter what instruction fools receive, fools they remain. So as wisdom is its own reward, folly is its own punishment.

Thought: Can Christ be in the heart if the devil controls the tongue?

Prayer: Oh! that my prayers might ascend to heaven to bring the blessing down!