Gems of Knowledge

Have you ever considered that the words you speak reflect your standing with God? Jesus says, “the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you” (Matthew 15:18, NLT). Where we are with God shapes our heart; our heart shapes our words and actions—so our words reveal where we truly stand with Him (Luke 6:45; Proverbs 4:23, NLT).

A Courtroom in the Heavens (Job 1–3)

Job opens like a court scene: God presides, the Accuser prosecutes, evidence is examined, and witnesses speak. Let’s look at Job 1–3 and the words spoken throughout—Job’s, God’s, the Accuser’s, Job’s wife’s, and Job’s friends’. Each voice is in the text for a reason. They show us that our words carry power.

In Job, the Accuser’s words had force in heaven’s court for justice’s sake. He brought a charge, and because God is just, the matter had to be examined. Are the accusations true—or not?

“You must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”
— Matthew 12:36–37 (NLT)

In crisis, speech exposes what’s inside (faith, fear, pride, despair) and also aligns us—either with heaven’s verdict or the Accuser’s narrative (cf. Ephesians 4:27).

The Accuser “became proud because of [his] beauty; [his] wisdom was corrupted by [his] love of splendor” (Ezekiel 28:17, NLT). Do we slide into pride—thinking we’re better or that we know better? Do we become accusers with our words? Are we triggering undue “investigations” on ourselves or others by speaking without restraint?

Job didn’t do that. He worshiped:

“The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!”
— Job 1:21 (NLT)

Even under crushing loss, Job’s mouth agreed with God, and “in all this, Job said nothing wrong” (Job 2:10, NLT).

“The tongue can bring death or life” (Proverbs 18:21, NLT). Jesus echoes it: “A tree is identified by its fruit… whatever is in your heart determines what you say” (Matthew 12:33–34, NLT).

What Each Voice Teaches (Job 1–3)

Job — Worship over complaint

He’s called “blameless—a man of complete integrity” (Job 1:1, NLT). His words revealed a heart anchored in God (Job 1:21; 2:10). Our own grief will surface what’s stored in us; will worship or resentment come out?

God — Sovereign Judge who sets boundaries

The Accuser appears before the Lord to press the case. God sets the limits: “You may test him… but do not harm him physically… You may do with him as you please, but spare his life” (Job 1:12; 2:6, NLT). God also affirms His servant (Job 1:8; 2:3, NLT). Does He have that confidence in us—that even in great affliction we won’t sin with our lips?

The Accuser — Night-and-day prosecutor

He “accuses our brothers and sisters… before our God day and night” (Revelation 12:10, NLT). We are blameless, not sinless—we do fail, but we return with “a broken and repentant heart” (Psalm 51:17, NLT), and God declares us righteous by faith. Still—are our words giving him a case? Are we echoing his role by accusing others? “People will give account… for every careless word” (Matthew 12:36, NLT).

Job’s wife — Shaken counsel, shaken heart

“Curse God and die” (Job 2:9, NLT) exposed her pain and unrooted trust. Our words reveal our theology. Will we choose reverent restraint with Job—“Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” (Job 2:10, NLT)—or speak against the Lord? “Whatever is in your heart determines what you say” (Matthew 12:34, NLT). Her heart was full of grief; anger spoke. Remember: “The tongue is a small thing… but a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire” (James 3:5, NLT).

Job’s friends — When silence is wisdom

Their best moment was seven silent days (Job 2:13, NLT). Sometimes silence is best. “Indeed, we all make many mistakes… if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect” (James 3:2, NLT). “Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble” (Proverbs 21:23, NLT). When we do speak, let it be truthful, merciful, and season-appropriate.

Bringing It Together

Words matter. In heaven’s court, they can serve as evidence—acquitting or condemning (Matthew 12:36–37, NLT). Job’s worship aligned with God. The Accuser’s speech was fueled by pride. God’s words set righteous limits and affirmed His servant. The wife’s words warn how pain can distort counsel. The friends’ early silence teaches that presence can be more faithful than explanations.

Let’s be a people whose mouths agree with God—quick to worship, quick to repent, slow to accuse, and careful to speak life. May what overflows from our hearts testify for us, not against us.