How can we guard our hearts to prevent deceitful speech as in Job 15:5? \Setting the Scene\ “ For your iniquity teaches your mouth, and you choose the language of the crafty.” (Job 15:5) Eliphaz’s blunt observation exposes a universal truth: corrupt speech always traces back to a corrupt heart. If we would keep deceit from our lips, we must first guard the wellspring within. \Why the Heart Comes First\ • Proverbs 4:23 — “Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.” • Luke 6:45 — “…for out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.” • Jeremiah 17:9 — “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” Scripture locates the root problem—sin lodged deep within. A saved person receives a new heart (Ezekiel 36:26), yet is still called to protect that heart from incoming corruption and lingering fleshly tendencies. \Practical Steps to Guard the Heart and Tongue\ 1. Continual Heart Examination • Psalm 139:23–24: invite the Lord to “search” and “test” thoughts and motives. • Compare words spoken during the day against the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). 2. Saturate the Inner Man with God’s Word • Psalm 119:11 — “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” • Colossians 3:16 — “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you….” • Strategy: memorize key verses on honesty; read aloud passages that exalt truth (e.g., Psalm 15; John 17:17). 3. Guard Input to Guard Output • Philippians 4:8 filter: whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable—dwell on these. • Limit entertainment or conversations that normalize subtle lying, flattery, or gossip. 4. Apply the Three-Gate Test Before Speaking • Is it true? • Is it necessary? • Is it gracious? (Ephesians 4:29) 5. Pray Preventively • Psalm 141:3 — “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.” • Ask the Spirit each morning to bridle your tongue (James 3:2-8) and to produce truthfulness. 6. Cultivate Accountability • Invite a trusted believer to point out any hint of deceit, exaggeration, or manipulation. • Confess promptly (1 John 1:9) when failures occur; lingering unconfessed sin instructs the mouth in craftiness just as Job 15:5 warns. 7. Replace Deceit with Edifying Speech • Speak blessings, thanksgiving, Scripture, and constructive words (Colossians 4:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:11). • Practice transparency—admitting weakness when tempted to exaggerate success or hide fault. \Scriptures for Ongoing Meditation\ • Proverbs 12:22 — “Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight.” • Psalm 34:13-14 — “Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” • James 1:26 — “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless.” \Encouragement to Persevere\ Guarding the heart is not a one-time project but a lifelong stewardship. By treasuring truth internally, filtering influences carefully, leaning on the Spirit’s power, and replacing deceit with words that mirror God’s own faithfulness, we choke the root of crafty speech before it reaches the tongue. Keep at it; each honest word spoken is another victory of grace over iniquity. |
    |