Psalm 15:1-2 LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary?
Who may live on your holy hill?
He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from his heart.

This Psalm is a beautiful word picture of a person pleasing to God, but different translations give different nuances. Not speaking modern Hebrew, much less the Hebrew of David’s day, I don’t know the nuances he actually intended, but they are interesting to consider. Where the NIV says “speaks the truth from his heart,” the Japanese says, “speaks the truth of (or, “that is in”) his heart.” The NIV would seem to stress consistent honesty, but the Japanese seems to add an element of forthrightness, of not being devious by failing to say things. That’s interesting, when Japanese society is often less that forthright, particularly when there is concern the truth might offend. On a completely different tack, the Japanese would be open to the possibility David meant speaking out God’s Truth that has been received into the heart. Those are all good things! James had some very clear things to say about how and what we speak. (James 3:2-12) We should indeed speak truth on every level, but always in love. (Ephesians 4:15) True love will speak even hard words, if they are needed to keep someone from harm. I don’t think it’s possible to overestimate the importance of what we say, when Christ Himself is the Word of God. (John 1:1) Our words must be true, and our actions must be congruent with what we say.

I had the very great blessing of a father who held absolute honesty as one of his foundational principles. In addition, we were a family that honored and reveled in the Word of God. To top it off, the Lord gave me a gift for words. However, I have not always been consistent in speaking only the truth He wanted me to speak. Living in Japan, I have the complication of two different languages in which to speak and write. I am not to use language thoughtlessly, but as a tool to communicate God’s truth at all times, even when that isn’t the specific subject. In other words, everything I say should reveal Christ, even if I’m just talking about the weather! If I speak always in the context of love for and gratitude toward God, then people’s eyes will be opened to Him as well.

Father, thank You for the incredible privilege of speaking Your words, Your Truth. Thank You for the good first classes I had yesterday with new sets of Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy students. I pray that my every interaction with them, in the classroom and out, would not only prepare them to be better therapists, but would draw them to the Christ they see in me, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!