Judges 12:5,6

Shibboleth means a river. The only difference between this and Sibboleth, arose from spelling the former with the Hebrew letter Shin, and the latter with Samech. But what is the spiritual illustration of the passage to mark the Shibboleth from the Sibboleth? Is it not, according to what our adored Redeemer taught when he said, 'by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.' Matthew 12:37. The language of the lips will correspond to the feelings of the heart. If Jesus be in the heart, depend upon it, his sweet name will be as honeycomb dropping from the lips. But if Christ be not formed in the heart the hope of glory, the Sibboleth of the conversation will betray the man, as Peter was discovered in the high priest's palace. Matthew 26:73.