It was the English non-conformist, Puritan preacher and author, Thomas Brooks, who observed thus: "We know metals by their tinkling, and men by their talking”. This truth remains real today as it was in the seventeenth century when Brooks made the assertion. It serves to highlight the close connection between the tongue and the heart.

The book of Proverbs is full of contrasts between good and evil or virtues and vices. Today's text has a lot to say in relation to the tongue of the righteous set in contrast with that of the unrighteous. The mouth (or tongue) of the righteous is associated with positive influences and outcomes. First, it is ”a well of life” - a spring that constantly issues forth refreshing words that edifies people. It is seasoned with wisdom. It is properly bridled. It is choice silver (precious) and, therefore "feed many” (useful and impactful). On the contrary, the mouth of the unrighteous is marked by violence, hatred, foolishness, destruction, malice, flattery and talkativeness.

Observe that verse 20 contrasts the outcome of the tongue of the righteous, not with the tongue but with the heart of the wicked. This only goes to show that the tongue does not act independently of the heart (Matthew 12:34). The tongue is the key outlet of the heart. Incidentally, the heart of man is so depraved that education, exposure and civility are not enough to fix it. It takes a heart regeneration that comes through spiritual rebirth to fix the problem of the heart.

You may, today, use what sincerely comes out of your mouth and their effects on people to measure the state of your heart. If they do not match the characteristics associated with - the righteous, you will do well to penitently take your heart to God for a spiritual heart transplant. Managing it not only makes you less useful to others, but will eventually land you in
eternal damnation.