Proverbs 16:23 ESV The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+16%3A23&version=ESV] Smooth-talking, silver-tongued, these are words we can easily give a negative connotation. We call it persuasion but it seems more like manipulation, and it’s hard to find the line where indeed charisma or persuasion becomes…
As a functional medicine pediatrician, I have a responsibility to both treat the young patients in front of me as well as advocate for the well-being of children in society. Obviously, there is considerable overlap between these two roles. As I evaluate studies and research findings in order to apply new discoveries in either arena,…
Proverbs 16:22 ESV Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+16%3A22&version=ESV] Good teachers are not a dime a dozen, unfortunately. In fact, on inspection, money seems to have irritatingly little to do with teaching quality; certainly the more expensive a university, the…
Proverbs 16:21 ESV The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+16%3A21&version=ESV] I’ve been in an argument or two, in my time. Siblings like them, it turns out, and not just siblings. In those arguments, I generally feel myself to be entirely in the right, and I wonder why…
Contrary to common beliefs, individuals with autism do experience complex emotions, but their language of experiencing and expressing them is different. If this Rutgers University researcher is correct, the long-held belief that autistic individuals have very muted emotions may need to be altered. With that change in approach, maybe a better way to think of…
Proverbs 16:20 ESV Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+16%3A20&version=ESV] In all the rush and hurry of daily life, Scripture is easily set aside. We know what it says, after all; we’ve got all the doctrine right up here in our heads,…
Proverbs 16:19 ESV It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+16%3A19&version=ESV] To be of a lowly spirit is a hard saying and, if some thought is given to it, an obscure one too. What does it mean to be of a…
Proverbs 16:18 ESV Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+16%3A18&version=ESV] Maturity is a difficult art, one in which every summit turns out to be a valley and every victory only the start. For every moment in which we are satisfied with our heart and our actions, there’ll be another…
Proverbs 16:17 ESV The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+16%3A17&version=ESV] The Christian has many foes with which he contends, and they come in three flavors: the world, the flesh, and the devil (Eph 2:2-3). None of them can be treated with contempt; none of them…
Proverbs 16:16 ESV How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+16%3A16&version=ESV] It’s easy to prioritize literally everything besides Scripture. I’ve done it; you’ve done it; we’ve all done it. The day starts, and you’re in a hurry, so no time there. Work or…