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NASB | Proverbs 16:1 The plans of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Proverbs 16:1 The plans and reflections of the heart belong to man, But the [wise] answer of the tongue is from the LORD. |
Bible Question: What is meant by: the answer of the tongue is from the LORD? |
Bible Answer: Take a look at these verses... Proverbs 1 7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 3 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. 1 Corinthians 1:25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength. I believe God has given mankind knowledge up to a point since we are created in his image...but that of course will only take us up to a point. As we grow in God he will be faithful to give us a greater insight into his person. Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will. As he changes us from the inside out he can then begin to use us as his vessels to spread his word (not our own) from a perspective not of man but inspired by the Holy Spirit. See verses below... 2 Samuel 23:2 "The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; his word was on my tongue. (NIV) Luke12 (Jesus said) 11"When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, 12for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say." I thought this was a good example of how God changed a man (Isaiah) and used him as his faithful mouthpiece despite all the opposition of the false prophets around him.... Isaiah 6 4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. 5 "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty." 6 Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for." 8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" ...and we know how Isaiah went to God's chosen people and delivered God's warning of pending judgment but also of God's mercy. To sum up my understanding of this verse, I think that if God has control of our tongues, as he should, he will "make wise the simple" (Psalm 19:7) And if God was able to speak through a donkey to save his master Balaam's life (Num 22), I'm sure he wants to speak through us to the lost... Bringing the clarity and wisdom of the Gospel message to a very mixed up world. I believe the only real wisdom that we can cling to in this world is found in Jesus Christ. For he is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6). I hope this helps a little! :) |