Proverbs 16:21-24 "The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. (22) Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly. (23) The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. (24) Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones."
We all have seen the Church Sign that says something like this, "People
don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."
There is a right way and a wrong way to show people what we know. The
tone of voice means a great deal when trying to teach. It requires wisdom of
heart in order to be able to better communicate the truth that is taught.
"Sweetness of lips increases learning." It is a gift from God to be
able to express yourself in a manner that people are willing to listen and
receive your words. But it requires practice and discipline on the part of the
teacher to maintain patience. "The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth,
and addeth learning to his lips." Solomon is telling us that even in
sharing our knowledge, we must teach our own mouth to express it properly. When
we do that, learning (information) is better received. There is another saying
that we often hear, "Honey catches more flies than vinegar." Solomon
used the term, "pleasant words." You can read verse 24 again to see
how those words are received. I love the way Christ spoke through the
Prophet, Isaiah: "The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned,
that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he
wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned."
(Isaiah 50:4) If Jesus felt it necessary to speak the proper word in its
season, then I should also. Anger turns people away, while "the tongue of
the learned" accomplishes much more.