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23. The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. {teacheth: Heb. maketh wise}
The well-spring of life, however silently it may flow, cannot be concealed. The weighty instruction, pouring out from a Divinely-instructed heart, shews the heavenly source, from whence the well-spring is supplied. While the “talk of the lips impoverishes” (Chapter 14:23), the teaching of the heart addeth learning. Who does not know the difference between one, who speaks of what he has read or heard, and one, who speaks of what he has felt and tasted? The one has the knowledge of the gospel — dry and spiritless. The other has “the savor of this knowledge” (2 Corinthians 2:14) — fragrant and invigorating. The theorist may exceed in the quantum (for Satan — as an angel of light — is a fearful proof, how much knowledge may be consistent with ungodliness;) but the real difference applies, not to the extent, but to the character, of knowledge; not to the matter known, but to the mode of knowing it. ‘Unbelievers’ — as Dr. Owen admirably observes — ‘may know more of God, than many believers; but they know nothing as they ought; nothing in a right manner; nothing with an holy and heavenly light. The excellency of a believer is, not that he hath a large apprehension of things; but that what he doth apprehend (which perhaps may be very little) he sees it in the light of the Spirit of God, in a saving, soul-transforming light. And this is that, which gives us communion with God.’† It is not therefore the intellectual knowledge of Divine truth that makes the Divine. The only true Divine is he, who knows holy things in a holy manner; because he only is gifted with a spiritual taste and relish for them. His apprehensions therefore are manifestly of God. His object has a real existence. Without any theological aid, he comes to the enjoyment of “all the riches of the full assurance of understanding” (Colossians 2:2); to a clearer certainty of the truth, than by the most demonstrable theorism. (1 John 2:27; 5:20.) And this experimental theology gives a rich unction to his communications. Divinity is not said by rote. The heart teacheth the mouth.
Take as an illustration the doctrine of the Trinity — that mystery, of which every letter is mysterious. The disputant of the schools, in attempting to expound it, only “darkens counsel by words without knowledge.” (Job 38:2.) The heart of the wise — heaven-taught — realizes the indwelling of the three sacred persons in undivided essence; and every act of prayer is through God — by God — to God. (Ephesians 2:18.) Conscious weakness needs Divine breath. Conscious guilt trusts in Divine advocacy. The heart, thus taught in the school of experience, expounds the doctrine in simplicity, and addeth learning to the lips. How much better is faith understood in the practical exercise, than in the accurate definition! He who lives most simply “a life of faith on the Son of God” (Galatians 2:20. 1 John 5:10) will explain most clearly its office and influence. Contrast also proud reasoning man replying to the Sovereignty of God, with the heart humbled, and teaching the mouth the adoration of wonder and praise. (Romans 9:19, 20; 11:33.)
This heart-teaching gives the Minister “the tongue of the learned” for the refreshment of the weary soul, when he “declares,” not only “what he has seen and heard” (Isaiah 50:4, with 2 Corinthians 1:4), but “what his hands have handled of the Word of life.” (1 John 1:1-3.) He then speaks, not only the message of God, but from the mouth of God; and his “gospel comes not in word only, but in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance.” (1 Thessalonians 1:5.)
In fine — man's religion begins with the head; God's with the heart. “Out of the heart are the issues of life.” (Chapter 4:23.) Let me be careful, in what atmosphere, under what teaching I live. The vivid theory brings me into the icy zone; cold, and clear and cold.† The experimental application realizes the glow of evangelical light and warmth. Let me look mainly, not to intellectual or theological attainments, but to heavenly teaching. Let me seek that my heart be first taught. Then let it teach my mouth, and add learning to my lips for the praise of my God, and the edifying of his Church.
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