𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝟐𝟐:𝟏𝟏 𝐇𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭, 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝.

This is one of Solomon’s finest proverbs. Here is wisdom for your success – inspired advice to take you to the top. In just a few words, the God of heaven outlined how a few special men rise above average men to be great. God and Solomon want you to prosper.Precious wisdom! A man with a pure heart has gracious speech, so that great men choose him as their friend. It begins with a pure heart – one free from all bitterness, envy, guile, hypocrisy, malice, pride, or selfishness. Such hearts use gracious words – acceptable, agreeable, courteous, forgiving, gentle, kind, merciful, and pleasing words. The combination is so delightful and rare that noble men are instantly and deeply drawn to it.Graciousness is the most beautifying character trait. A gracious person is often described as a beautiful or charming person. Whether man or woman, graciousness makes a person delightful, pleasant, and winning. It is a rare and sweet pleasure to meet one. And this trait is most clearly shown by excellent speech. You will meet only a few in life; they will have great reputations; they will warm your soul; you will crave their company.If you want to advance, to grow and prosper, in your profession and all relationships, then you should memorize this proverb and practice it every day. Loving pureness of heart is something you do every waking minute; gracious speech is guarding every word when speaking. You should seize the valuable wisdom offered to you in this proverb, and by consistent practice of its two simple rules, you will reap the promised reward. How did Joseph at only thirty years of age rise to the right hand of power in Egypt, though he was not an Egyptian and was in prison for attempted rape? He did it by pure motives and wise speech, no matter the audience or circumstances (Gen 41:37-45). Pharaoh loved him and gave him honors, rewards, and privileges. The proverb is true.How did Daniel around twenty win the loving favor of one of the greatest and harshest kings, the Chaldean Nebuchadnezzar? He followed the same plan of pure motives and gracious speech of Joseph (Dan 1:18-20; 6:3). He was honored by Nebuchadnezzar, by his descendants, and by his successors Darius and Cyrus the Persian for over 70 years.Consider that Solomon, a king, admitted weakness for gracious men. He had heard about the friendship between his father David and Prince Jonathan, where David’s gracious speech had won Jonathan in a few moments (I Sam 17:57 – 18:4). Though David was a lowly shepherd and also a threat to his future reign, Jonathan loved him as his own soul. Why? Because David’s heart was free from any ambition, guile, pride, or selfishness.Enemy kings, mercenaries, and foreign kings loved David. Saul in his right mind loved David (I Sam 16:21; 24:16-19; 26:17,21-25). When David had to live in Goliath’s hometown, Achish the king of Gath loved David (I Sam 28:1-2; 29:3,6,9). Mighty Ittai led 600 soldiers of Gath to mutiny to follow David for the rest of his life (II Sam 15:21). Hiram, king of Tyre, one of the wealthiest of nations, always loved David (I Kgs 5:1). Herod Antipas appreciated and favored John the Baptist, in spite of John rebuking his actions, though his adulterous wife eventually secured his murder (Mark 6:16-20). Paul also found favor with Roman governors, captains, centurions, and kings by the same formula of Joseph, David, and Daniel (Acts 26:28-32; 28:16,30). The proverb is true.Be gracious, always! Do you grasp the power of this rule from the mouth of God and pen of Solomon? Do you see the Bible examples of its fulfillment with the most powerful men on earth? Keep your heart with all diligence, for your speech and conduct in life comes from this fountain and source (Pr 4:23). Let your speech be always gracious, nurturing and lifting those around you (Col 4:5-6; I Cor 10:31-33). Honor is coming.