What is the meaning of Proverbs 26:28? A lying tongue A “lying tongue” is more than a slip of the tongue; it is a willful weapon. Scripture repeatedly treats lying as an assault on God’s character and on others (Proverbs 6:16-17; Revelation 21:8). Jesus names the devil “a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44), so when we lie we echo hell, not heaven. • Lies rewrite reality, making the speaker temporarily feel powerful but actually chaining him to darkness (1 John 1:6). • Each lie breeds another, hardening the heart (Hebrews 3:13). Hates those it crushes The verse exposes the hidden motive behind lying: hatred. If I deceive you, I am not loving you (Romans 13:10). The deception “crushes” because it: • Undermines trust (Proverbs 25:18 compares a false witness to a war club). • Damages the victim’s ability to make wise choices, often robbing reputation, finances, or peace (Jeremiah 9:5-6). • Ultimately signals contempt; only hatred is willing to sacrifice another’s welfare for personal gain. Paul urges, “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are members of one another” (Ephesians 4:25), underscoring that truth-telling is an act of family love. A flattering mouth Flattery differs from genuine encouragement. Encouragement builds up with honest praise (1 Thessalonians 5:11); flattery manipulates with exaggerated or insincere words. Psalm 12:2-3 laments, “They speak falsehood to one another; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.” Proverbs 29:5 warns, “A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.” Motives behind flattery often include: • Gaining advantage (Jude 16). • Covering selfish intent (Proverbs 28:23 contrasts frank rebuke with flattery). • Feeding pride in oneself and in the listener (Proverbs 16:18). Causes ruin Flattery is not harmless; it “causes ruin.” Consider: • The young man seduced by smooth words in Proverbs 7—his life ends “among the slain.” • Herod accepting flattering cries of deity in Acts 12:21-23; God strikes him down. • Churches warned against teachers who “by smooth talk and flattery deceive the hearts of the naive” (Romans 16:18). Ruin falls on: 1. The hearer—lured into pride, poor decisions, and sin. 2. The flatterer—eventually exposed, losing credibility and facing God’s judgment (Proverbs 26:24-26). summary Proverbs 26:28 lays bare two tongues that destroy. Lying springs from hatred and crushes its victims; flattery masquerades as kindness yet engineers disaster. Because God is truth (John 14:6) and love (1 John 4:8), His people must forsake deceit and manipulation, choosing words that reflect His character—truthful, sincere, and life-giving. |
    |