What does Job 15:5 teach about the heart's influence on our words? Scripture Focus “For your iniquity instructs your mouth, and you choose the language of the crafty.” Key Observations • “Iniquity” is pictured as a teacher; inner sin trains the tongue. • Speech is not neutral—words reveal moral allegiance. • The phrase “choose the language” shows personal responsibility; what fills the heart shapes deliberate word-choices. • “Crafty” language hints at deception, echoing Genesis 3:1 where the serpent was “crafty,” linking corrupt words to a corrupt heart. Linking Heart and Mouth in the Wider Canon • Matthew 12:34: “For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.” • Luke 6:45: “The good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart… the evil man brings evil things out of the evil treasure.” • Proverbs 4:23: “Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.” • James 3:6: “The tongue is a fire… staining the whole body.” These passages reinforce Job 15:5: the inner life and outer speech are inseparable. Consequences of a Corrupt Heart • Deceptive words damage relationships (Proverbs 26:28). • Gossip and slander sow discord in the church (Romans 1:29–30). • Habitual crooked speech dulls conscience, making repentance harder (Ephesians 4:18–19). Guarding the Heart to Guide the Tongue • Daily intake of Scripture—renewing the mind (Psalm 119:11). • Confession of hidden sin—cleansing the heart (1 John 1:9). • Prayerful self-examination—inviting God to “search me” (Psalm 139:23–24). • Fellowship with truthful believers—sharpening one another (Proverbs 27:17). Practical Takeaways 1. Trace words back to motives: if speech is biting, check for bitterness inside. 2. Replace crafty language with edifying words (Ephesians 4:29). 3. Memorize verses on truthfulness to reshape inner dialogue (Colossians 3:16). 4. Celebrate growth: when speech becomes gracious, thank God for heart transformation (Colossians 4:6). Job 15:5 reminds us that the tongue never acts alone; it merely broadcasts the condition of the heart. Guard the heart, and the mouth will follow. |
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