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Death In His Tongue & War In His Heart

"Lies and slanders proceeding from the tongue argue the desperate wickedness of the heart." - Adam Clarke

There is a sin that besets the very "godliest" of people. These same people would never think to lust, curse, smoke, or drink. In fact, they will purposely steer as far away from the world and its evil influences as much as possible. Yet they fall prey to temptation in this area of wickedness each time.

This Sin has brought death and destruction to many ministries and ministers.

This Sin, that we speak of, is Slander.

Through the Pride of his own heart, the Slanderer gives place to the devil to use him to bring great destruction and havoc wherever he goes.

• Ecclesiastes 9:18 argues - "...but one sinner destroyeth much good."
  And the slanderer is very capable of doing just that.

• Proverbs 18:21 teaches us that "Death and life are in the power of the tongue..." Hence, a life can be saved or lost depending on our words. A great deal of good can be accomplished simply by what we say or a great deal of hurt, harm, and evil.

• In Psalm 50:19-20, Asaph made this statement about the wicked man - "Thou givest thy mouth to evil...Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother's son."

We see from this Scripture that we have a choice in how we will use our tongues - for good or for evil. The Slanderer gives his mouth up to evil speaking. He employs it in falsehood, deceit, and deception.

• In Psalm 50:16, God calls the one who engages in such activity "wicked" - "But unto the wicked God saith..." It does not matter how religious, holy, separated, dedicated, or consecrated one may feel that he is, if he uses his tongue for evil, he is "wicked" in the sight of the Lord.

Let's look into the Scriptures and examine first of all the characteristics of the Slanderer and then study a depiction of his Tongue.

• Psalm 50:19 - "...thy tongue frameth deceit."

The "tongue" of the Slanderer is always producing, devising, or fastening onto lies and falsehood.

• Psalm 52:2 - "Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs...working deceitfully."

His "tongue" works ruin and destruction unto others. It is through deceit - hidden practices - that it accomplishes its purposes.

• Psalm 55:21 - "The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart..."

Even though the Slanderer may appear to be a good friend, don't believe or trust him. In all actuality, he is your enemy. He is a false, base, and very treacherous betrayer, designing your fall while pretending to be your friend.

• Psalm 57:4 - "My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men..."

He has the ferocious nature of a wild beast. He is fierce and savage, filled with malice and usually "burning" with rage as though his emotions were set on fire by Hell itself.

• Psalm 59:7 - "Behold, they belch out with their mouth..."

Sarcasm, ridicule, slander, insults, reproaches, threatenings, abuse, and lies boil up and gush out of his mouth like a running stream or a bubbling fountain.

• Psalm 59:7 - "...for who, say they, doth hear?"

He has no fear of God. Therefore, he dreads no punishment. He imagines that no one - not even God - is aware of his wrongdoings.

Psalm 64:2 - "Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity."

In using the words - "the secret counsel of the wicked" - David draws the picture of a circle of friends sitting around on couches and engaged in conversation. Whether they will openly admit it or not, these "workers of iniquity" are assembled together for the purpose of destroying another man's reputation or honor.

• Psalm 64:3 - "...bitter words."

It is a known fact that the Slanderer is a bitter person. He defiles many through his "blackening" remarks.

• Psalm 64:4 - "That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not."

He does his "dirty work" in secret and at the most unexpected times. Because he covers himself with lies, he is confident and sure that he will never be detected.

• Psalm 64:5 - "They encourage themselves in an evil matter..."

• Psalm 140:2 - "Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war."

He never does his work alone. He knows that there is strength in numbers. Hence, he looks for those who are "weak" in character to join him in his attempt to destroy another man's name, work, or reputation.

Jeremiah 9:3 - "...but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth..."

One thing about it - the Slanderer is bold in his sin. He will tell a lie quicker than he will speak the truth.

Besides giving us a very thorough depiction of the Slanderer, the Scriptures also offer a picturesque description of his tongue, underlining its deadly nature.

• Psalm 55:21 - "...his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords."

• Psalm 57:4 - "...even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword."

• Psalm 59:7 - "...swords are in their lips..."

• Psalm 64:3 - "Who whet their tongue like a sword..."

• Proverbs 12:18 - "There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword..."

• Proverbs 25:18 - "A man that beareth false witness against his neighbor is a ...sword..."

• Proverbs 30:14 - "There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords..."

His spiteful tongue cuts deep and kills like a "sharp sword." His reproaches and insults pierce and penetrate the heart and soul while his lies wound the reputation of another. Because his words are oftentimes premeditated, he is said to "whet" or sharpen his tongue, getting it ready for action. He devises ahead of time what injurious remarks he will speak to cut, wound, and kill the good name of another. His teeth are instruments of cruelty rather than comfort.

• Psalm 52:2 - "Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp rasor..."

• Psalm 64:3 - "...and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words."

• Psalm 140:3 - "They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison is under their lips."

• Jeremiah 9:3 - "And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies..."

Here his tongue is compared to a "sharp rasor" that cuts and wounds in the dark, a poisoned "arrow" that takes away the life, as well as the sharp, pointed tongue of a serpent that kills instantly.

There is no doubt about it - Slander is a Sin and a most deadly one for sure.

J.C. Ryle once said - "Lies and false reports are among Satan's choicest weapons."

Is it possible that you are striving to live so close to God, yet at the same time, through the wrong use of your tongue, you are being a tool for Satan?

William Booth gave us some sound advice - "No one should say behind a man's back what he dare not, or would not, say to his face."

Let's remember these words the next time we enter into conversation with others.
It'll surely keep us out of trouble if we do.


May God Bless His Word.
Connie

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