“The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction.”
Wise in heart and gracious in speech, now that’s an admirable way to live. I certainly agree that those are the qualities of the people I desire to hang around. The opposite would be those who are foolish in heart and deplorable or at least unkind in speech. There are a lot of those people in the world. This verse also speaks to bosses, teachers and parents. Who doesn’t learn better from those who teach and challenge us with gracious words. A beautiful example was an encounter where a leader recently had to let an employee go. In the conversation they were able to genuinely affirm the value of the individual and assure them there was a place that could maximize their gifts and talents. Sometimes that can be hokey however, in this instance the bosses pattern had always been to use gracious speech when interacting with their team so it came across as truly compassionate because it was. This leader believed that when a person was let go they were being realigned in the kingdom. As a biblical worldview leader they believed that in God’s economy everyone has a place and leaving the wrong person in the wrong position short circuits both that persons potential and the one who belongs in that position. This takes Godly discernment and gracious speech. Today practice both. #BeTheEdge
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:6 NIV
