The Scourge of a Lying Tongue
4/16/2008
20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where
there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to
kindle strife.
22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost
parts of the belly.
23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver
dross.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in
his heart.
26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be showed before the
whole congregation.
27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will
return upon him.
28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth
worketh ruin. (Pr 26:20-28)
The Apostle James declared that the tongue is set on fire of hell. Solomon said
that contentious men are wood and coal to kindle and keep the fire going. The
slanderer is not to be believed because he has many abominations in his heart
and covers up his wickedness.
James also puts it this way: "Where there is envy and strife, there is
confusion and every evil work." The phony words cover up iniquity, and in
time the rottenness will be revealed.
Faithful ministers are the especial butt of railings and bitter words, because
the preaching of the word stirs up the flesh. In order to hide his sin the
contentious man adds sin to sin. "He hath a devil," they said of the
Lord Jesus. "Who do you think you are?" they added. "He said he
would build the temple in three days," others said. "We be not born
of fornication," still others said, meaning that Mary had conceived the
Lord out of wedlock. The angrier they got, the more vicious their words were,
for anger and hatred burned within them, "He casts out devils by the
prince of devils."
God, however, has a very special care for his faithful ministers. "He that
speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. There
is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is
health. The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is
but for a moment." (Pr 12:17-19)
The lying tongue may gain a temporary goal, but the lying tongue cannot change
the fabric of the universe, which is the creation of God. Truth arises from the
grave that the contentious person prepares for it; it rises up and says,
"You are a liar."
1Ch 16:22 Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
Ps 105:15 Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
