Do You Speak with Forked Tongue?
...For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. Matthew 12:34
“For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:37
Do you ever speak with a forked tongue? If I were a betting person, I would say that we all have this ability. We say one thing and mean something else. We are deceitful and untruthful. Yes, all of us! Even when we are trying to be kind to someone about their new clothes, we aren’t always honest are we? Not wanting to hurt someone’s feelings is more important to us than telling a little white lie. But really, a lie is a lie!
Where did this phrase come from? Google says: “According to one 1859 account, the native proverb that the "white man spoke with a forked tongue" originated as a result of the French tactic of the 1690s, in their war with the Iroquois, of inviting their enemies to attend a peace conference, only to be slaughtered or captured.
…It is an insult to tell someone that he is speaking with a forked tongue, as it is the same as calling someone a liar. Almost all authorities believe that the metaphor of a forked tongue refers to the forked tongue of a snake.”
This is close akin to the phrase snake in the grass. My father, a master mechanic, referred to most used car salesmen as a snake in the grass.
Think for a moment of the times when someone has said, “How are ya doin’ today?” You feel like you’ve been hauled through the hay baler twice, but you respond, “Great! How about you?” Why can’t we be honest and say, “I’ve had better days!” Again, another little white lie.
These are not labels that Christians ought to wear. The great news is that we can discard that old flakey skin and be done with old habits through the forgiveness, love and grace of Jesus Christ.
Next time when tempted to stretch the truth, remember to get rid of that old habit and quickly put on your robe of righteousness. Speak the truth—with love, of course.
Loving Lord, thank You for giving us compassion toward others. Help us to use it wisely so that we will wear Your robe with a pure heart. AMEN.