The Most Terrible Weapon Of All

"No weapon is so terrible as a tongue - sharpened on the devil's grindstone..." - Charles Spurgeon

 

"A spiteful tongue is a dangerous weapon, wherewith Satan's instruments fight against God's people." - Matthew Henry

"Slander has ever been the master weapon of the good man's enemies, and great is the care of the malicious to use it effectively." - Charles Spurgeon

 

Throughout the Scriptures, we will find various verses that depict words as "sharp swords." They are called "bloody words" and are capable of tearing, wounding severely, stinging, inflicting, cutting, or killing.

 

Before going any further - a good question to ask yourself is - What kind of words have you been speaking lately? If your words have been like "swords," then there is a good chance that your heart is filled with hatred, unforgiveness, bitterness, malice, and revenge. It's time to "get real" and allow the Holy Spirit to shine His "spotlight" on your heart and words and reveal the kind of person that you really are.

 

It is our prayer that this message will be an "eye-opener" to you concerning the destructive power and abuse that comes to others through your spiteful words. Don't pass over it as though it were just another sermon on the "tongue." Allow the Holy Spirit to help you reflect on a past or present incident when you brought much harm to someone through your words. If you haven't done so already, humble yourself and repent of this wrongdoing. And then yield to a spirit of intercession for the injured person so that he or she may receive healing and wholeness and be made new. 

 

Psalm 52:2 says - "Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully."

Psalm 55:21 says - "The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords."

Psalm 57:4 says - "My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword."

Psalm 59:7 says - "Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips..."

Psalm 64:3 says - "Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:"

Psalm 109:3 says - "They compassed me about also with words of hatred..."

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

                                                                                                                                 

Imagine being cut by a sharp razor. It can be very painful. The Scripture likens a false tongue - one that speaks with an ulterior motive...is whetted by malice...and cuts quietly but deeply - to a "sharp razor." This lying "tongue" that is always inventing lies and desiring evil to come to others cuts and wounds razor-sharp.

 

Some use words that are smooth, pleasant, and gentle - "smoother than oil" - yet have hearts that are filled with hatred. They are cutthroats. They flatter you with the ultimate intention of devouring you. For a time, their words are as music to your ears - while all along they are covering up the dagger in their heart.

 

Malicious men carry a whole armory in their mouth. They pierce, wound, and tear with their slanders and backbitings. Their "tongue" is a two-edged, keen, cutting, and killing "sword" - intended to curse and wound another's reputation.  

 

Bitterness in an individual's heart causes him to speak the lowest insult..."dish out" the basest abuse...and deal in sarcasm, ridicule, slander, and lies. "Swords are in his lips." He speaks daggers. His words pierce and wound the heart, emotions, and reputation of another.

 

It is unthinkable what harm the "tongue" can do to another. Lies themselves can inflict pain...stab the character and reputation...and kill the honor of another. False representations, slanders, and defaming words can cut, wound, and destroy his good name and cripple his soul.

 

Imagine being attacked on all sides by slanderous reports...accusations...whispers...sneers...insinuations...and hateful words. Only one who "speaketh like the piercings of a sword" could bring such evil to pass.

 

Where do you stand in this picture?

 

Are you one whose - "...tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully"..."words are softer than oil, yet are  drawn swords"..."teeth are spears and arrows, and your tongue a sharp sword"...or "lips" contain "swords"?

 

Proverbs 12:18 says - "...but the tongue of the wise is health." It tends to comfort...benefit others...cheer...and refresh.

 

What a stark contrast it is to the "tongue" that is as a "sharp razor" or "sharp sword"!

 

Every Christian's "tongue" should be soothing, refreshing, or life-giving rather than cutting, wounding, or destroying.

 

But what kind of "tongue" do you have?

 

Whose life, marriage, family, career, or ministry - if any - have you destroyed with your words or built up?

 

Just know that God did not lead you to tear another person down - you were a tool of Satan.

 

So what are you going to do about it now?

 

We suggest that you run to the Lord Jesus in repentance. He will forgive you and give you the grace to speak only those words which bring forth life in the end.