What is the meaning of Jeremiah 9:8? Their tongues are deadly arrows • God pictures the tongue as a lethal weapon, not a harmless tool. Psalm 64:3 describes evil men who “sharpen their tongues like swords,” and Proverbs 12:18 contrasts rash words that pierce “like a sword” with healing speech. • The “arrow” image tells us the harm is: – Intentional: an arrow is aimed. – Swift: once released, it finds its mark quickly. – Distant: words can wound people who are nowhere near us. • Because Scripture is literally true, we take this warning at face value—our words can bring spiritual death just as surely as arrows bring physical death (James 3:6). They speak deception • The core sin is lying. Isaiah 59:3–4 links deceitful lips to injustice and violence, showing falsehood is never an isolated offense. • Deception violates the ninth commandment (Exodus 20:16) and aligns a person with Satan, “the father of lies” (John 8:44). • When the Lord accuses Judah here, He is exposing a lifestyle of fraud in business, politics, and worship (Jeremiah 9:3–6). God always judges such behavior because He Himself “cannot lie” (Titus 1:2). With his mouth a man speaks peace to his neighbor • Hypocrisy surfaces: friendly words mask hostile intent. Psalm 28:3 warns of those “who speak peace with their neighbors while evil is in their hearts.” • True peace, in Scripture, requires integrity. Romans 12:18 urges believers to pursue peace genuinely, not merely sound peaceful. • God values neighbor love so highly that Jesus calls it the second great commandment (Matthew 22:39). Counterfeiting that love is especially offensive. But in his heart he sets a trap for him • The contrast between mouth and heart exposes duplicity. Proverbs 26:24–26 notes that hatred can be concealed by pleasant speech, yet it will be revealed. • A “trap” points to premeditated harm—like a hunter baiting prey. Micah 7:2–3 laments similar social decay: “both hands are skilled in doing evil.” • God sees the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). Nothing is hidden from Him, so plotting evil while posing as a friend guarantees divine judgment (Jeremiah 17:10). summary Jeremiah 9:8 delivers a four-fold indictment: poisonous words, intentional deceit, fake friendliness, and concealed malice. Taken literally, the verse exposes how far Judah’s society had drifted from God’s truth, and it warns us today. Our speech must reflect God’s character—truthful, peace-seeking, and transparent—because He hears every word and weighs every motive. |
    |