How can we apply Job 15:5 to ensure our words honor God daily? Scripture Focus “For your iniquity instructs your mouth, and you choose the language of the crafty.” — Job 15:5 Taking In the Setting • Eliphaz charges Job with letting hidden sin shape his speech. • While Eliphaz misreads Job’s situation, the Holy Spirit preserves the verse to show a universal truth: sin steers speech unless the heart is surrendered to God. What the Verse Reveals • Sin is a teacher: “your iniquity instructs your mouth.” • Words are a choice: “you choose the language.” • That choice can lean toward craftiness—speech that twists, deceives, or tears down. The Heart–Tongue Connection • Luke 6:45 “out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” • Proverbs 4:23 “Guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” • When the heart yields to Christ, speech follows; when sin rules, speech strays. Guardrails from the Rest of Scripture • Psalm 141:3 “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth.” • Proverbs 10:19 “When words are many, transgression is unavoidable.” • Ephesians 4:29 “Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up.” • Colossians 4:6 “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt.” • James 1:19 “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” Practical Daily Applications 1. Begin each morning by surrendering your tongue to God (Romans 12:1). 2. Pause before speaking: ask, “Will these words build up or break down?” 3. Replace complaints with gratitude (Philippians 2:14). 4. Limit words when emotions run high (Proverbs 17:27-28). 5. Speak Scripture aloud—let truth retrain the tongue (Psalm 119:172). 6. Confess immediately when sinful words slip out; seek forgiveness and restoration (1 John 1:9). 7. Surround yourself with believers who model godly speech (Proverbs 13:20). 8. Keep a “speech journal” for a week; note patterns needing repentance and change. Daily Checklist for God-Honoring Words □ My words today were truthful. □ My tone reflected gentleness and respect. □ I chose encouragement over criticism. □ I listened more than I spoke. □ I quoted or referenced Scripture in conversation. □ I apologized quickly when I misspoke. Living It Out Let Job 15:5 serve as a daily mirror: if sin is tutoring your tongue, pause and let Christ take over the classroom. The more His Word saturates your heart, the more your speech will consistently honor Him. |
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