22 The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels,
And they go down into the [k]innermost parts of the body.
23 Like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross
Are burning lips and a wicked heart.
24 He who hates disguises it with his lips,
But he lays up deceit in his [l]heart.
25 When [m]he speaks graciously, do not believe him,
For there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Though his hatred covers itself with guile,
His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.
27 He who digs a pit will fall into it,
And he who rolls a stone, it will come back on him.
28 A lying tongue hates [n]those it crushes,
And a flattering mouth works ruin.
We all like praise. It makes us feel valued, and important, and can often give us a sense of belonging and purpose. Well, at least when it is done sincerely. Ever get a feeling the person saying something doesn’t really mean it? Not just that they’ve exaggerated a bit, or that we don’t feel like we deserve it. No, I’m talking about when you feel like there’s more behind the words, that you’re being twisted or manipulated.
This is what we see in these verses today, and sometimes we ignore that little prickling voice, because, “Boy, did I need to hear that today!” Or did you? Maybe you just wanted a little more affirmation, and you already knew you were doing it right because God already confirmed it. Throughout these verses we have dainty morsels, silver linings, gracious speech, and a flattering tongue.
Rather than ignore that “prickling voice”, we should instead listen more carefully for it. Learn discernment that can only come from God, and ask Him to help guard your heart from manipulation. For all those “nice” things cover up wicked hearts, deceit, abominations, hate, and malice (v. 27-28).
Now sometimes the motives don’t seem so dark, I see this in the emails I get regularly. Someone wants a link in one of my blog posts, or a mention in a newsletter. They nearly always start by saying what a good job they think I’m doing, yet their story never lines up quite right. And then they tell me all the things they have to offer, and there have been times I thought, “huh, this seems like a sincere offer…”
That is, until I start doing some digging and begin to uncover a tangled web of deceit and trickery. Have nothing to do with such things, and once more, ask God to guard your heart. Listen for the voice of the Spirit, sometimes just a small whisper, though other times a roaring elephant. If God says “Stay away!”, then trust Him, and obey.
Unlike the flatterer, God truly has your best interests in mind, and will guide you on the right path. So many things promise joy and happiness, but as the old song says, “There is no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey!”