These passages say, “The weak in heart will be called discerning and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. Understanding is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the discipline of fools is folly. The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds persuasiveness to his lips.”
What does it mean to be persuasive or to persuade? The dictionary defines it as causing someone to do something or believe something through reasoning or argument. These passages indicate that a wise person can be very effective in persuading others. They also indicate that gentle or sweetness of speech enhances persuasiveness.
The Bible indicates that a wise person is one who believes in God and lives their lives by the Word of God. A wise person also believes in Jesus Christ and has God’s Holy Spirit within them. When one has God’s Holy Spirit they gain the fruits of the Holy Spirit. One of these fruits is gentleness.
When such a person speaks to others in a persuasive way, they will do so with gentle and appealing words. Such words will be more persuasive than loud or abrasive words.
When gentle words are grounded in one who understands the Word of God and applies their knowledge with wisdom, they will likely be heard. Their words will be more likely to persuade others to believe in things that have enduring value.
