One of the first things a physician says when he examines a patient is, "Let me see your tongue." It is often possible to make a diagnosis just by looking inside a person's mouth. Some diseases can be detected by the tongue's appearance.

This is even more true as a test of spiritual health. A person's speech reveals what is going on inside. Jesus said, "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Mt. 12:34).

The apostle Peter, on the night Jesus was arrested, made the mistake of opening his mouth. When he spoke, some of the bystanders recognized his dialect and said, "Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you" (Mt. 26:73). Although he tried to deny their accusation, his speech revealed who he really was.

Our speech tells much about us. Our accent indicates the country or region from which we came. Our words reveal education or refinement, or the lack of it. Our topics of discussion point to our chief interests in life, for we talk about the things we love the most. And our conversation reveals our eternal destination, for travelers to heaven will speak "the language of Glory," while travelers to hell will speak "the language of the pit."

What is your tongue saying about you? --M. R. De Haan, M.D. (founder of RBC Ministries)  — M.R. De Haan