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“If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless” (James 1:26).

You can learn much about a person’s character if you listen long enough to what he says. In the same way, others learn much about you as they listen to what you say. Do your words reveal a pure heart? Remember Paul’s admonition to “let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear” (Eph. 4:29).

Make that your goal each day so you can know the blessing and grace of disciplined speech! Ask the Lord to guard your tongue from speaking anything that might dishonor Him. Be aware of everything you say.

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Excerpt from “Drawing Near” – John MacArthur