How can we guard against deceitful tongues as seen in Psalm 109:2? Understanding the Threat Psalm 109:2 sets the scene plainly: “For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me; they speak against me with lying tongues.” The psalmist faces slander, half-truths, and open lies. God preserves the verse so we will learn to recognize the danger and prepare. Remembering Who Judges All Speech • Proverbs 15:3 reminds us, “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the wicked and the good.” • Knowing that the Lord hears every word allows us to rest. We are not alone, and we are never at the mercy of deceitful tongues. Guarding the Gate of the Heart • Proverbs 4:23: “Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.” – Guarding begins internally. Lies pierce only when they find an echo of fear, pride, or insecurity inside us. – Ask, “What lie am I tempted to believe about myself, my God, or my future?” Filling the Mind with Truth • John 17:17: “Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.” • Philippians 4:8 offers an eight-part grid—true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, praiseworthy. If a statement fails this test, we let it pass by. • Daily Scripture intake trains our reflexes so untruth sounds foreign. Filtering Our Own Speech • Ephesians 4:29: “Let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need.” • Colossians 4:6: “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt.” – We cannot control others’ tongues, but we can refuse to join them. – Speaking truth in love turns us into living rebuttals of deceit. Practicing Discernment in Community • Proverbs 11:14: “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but with an abundance of counselors there is victory.” • 1 John 4:1: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” – Wise friends help us distinguish credible counsel from crafty distortion. Responding When Lies Target Us • Romans 12:17-19: “Do not repay anyone evil for evil…‘Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.’” • 1 Peter 2:21-23 shows Christ “when He was reviled, He did not revile in return.” – Silence may feel weak, but it often preaches louder than protest. – When a response is necessary, stick to verified facts, speak briefly, and entrust the outcome to God. Practical Checklist for Each Day 1. Begin with Scripture—anchor the mind before the first conversation. 2. Pray Psalm 141:3 over your mouth: “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.” 3. Limit intake of rumor-heavy media. 4. When you hear a claim, ask: • Is it confirmed by two or three witnesses? (Deuteronomy 19:15) • Does it match God’s revealed character? 5. Address misunderstandings quickly and face-to-face when possible (Matthew 18:15). 6. End the day by releasing every slander into the Lord’s hands, thanking Him for truth that cannot be shaken. Living in Steady Confidence Deceitful tongues will remain until the Lord silences them for good, but we need not live rattled. Psalm 31:20 promises, “You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the schemes of men; You conceal them in Your shelter from accusing tongues.” Walking in that shelter, we guard our hearts, speak truth, and watch God vindicate His people in His time. |
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