CHECK YOUR TONGUE

MEMORY VERSE: Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things? (Job 6:30).

The doctor may want to check your tongue to diagnose your physical condition. Job says the tongue check also reveals the condition of the heart toward God. If there is sin in one's heart it will show in the way he uses his tongue.

And the tongue has great potential for both good and evil.

A Greek philosopher asked his servant to provide the best dish possible. The servant prepared a dish of tongue, saying, "It is the best of all dishes, because with it we may bless and communicate happiness, dispel sorrow, remove despair, cheer the faint-hearted, inspire the discouraged, and say a hundred things to uplift mankind."

Later, the philosopher asked the servant to provide the worst dish possible. Again, the servant prepared a dish of tongue. The philosopher questioned his servant about his decision and received this answer: "It is the worst because with it we may curse and break human hearts, destroy reputations, promote discord and strife, set families, communities, and nations at war with each other."

Job invited his friends to check his tongue to see whether he was wicked or righteous. The condemnation of these supposed comforters moved this man of God to a challenge. Had they been able to determine that he was evil by this speech? He was confident that he could pass the tongue test.

How would you do in a checkup of your tongue? What would it reveal about your heart? Though you may not realize it, others are checking your tongue regularly. What will they conclude about your walk with God?

Are you starting to backslide? Check your tongue and see!

Read James chapter 3.