The Bible Edge
Random Thoughts of a Spiritual Nature II
Job 27:4
My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit.
Job is a very interesting personality in the Bible. The book that carries his name is among the oldest books in the world and perhaps the first of all Bible books that have been written. In this book there are many nuggets of truth that are very applicable for today. Truly there is nothing new under the sun. One such nugget is found in today’s verse. While the words seem simple, and the concept is wholesome and right altogether, the performance of such a statement is very, very difficult.
Try it. Over the next few days, weeks, or months try with everything that is within you to speak no wickedness or deceits. Just about the time you make this pledge your wife will ask you if the dress she has on makes her look heavy. Or your husband will ask you if he is as big as that other man across the room. In innocent occasions like these, temptation sneaks in to speak just a little lie, just a little stretcher. You see, every day we are faced with situations that could easily be traversed by uttering a small deceit even though we know we shouldn’t.
Likewise, concerning speaking wickedness, what is it that you say under our breath when someone cuts you off in traffic, or squeezes in your lane at the last second when they should have waited their turn like you did! (This is hitting a little close to home for me…)
So, try it. Job evidently did it (of course he did not have modern day traffic to deal with, but he also did not have the Holy Spirit living in Him as believers today do). By the way, Job’s commitment to guard his tongue was not for a day, a week, a month or a year, it was for… All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils; (verse 3). Now that is a worthy goal for which to aim.
William T. Howe, Ph.D.
Comments