Forbidden Words – Evil, Deceitful Words
“For ‘He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit’” (1 Peter 3:10). Peter encourages Christians to not return evil for evil, but rather refrain from speaking evil and deceitful things to others when they do us ill. He quotes from Psalm 34:12-16 showing that God’s teaching on the tongue is timeless. Evil and deceitful words have always been forbidden to the people of God.
The combination of evil and deceitful is important. It is not just the words that are wrong, but the intentions also. One may speak good, sweet, and pleasing words to others, but if those words have an evil intent behind them, God considers them deceitful and evil. Proverbs 26:24-26 says, “He who hates, disguises it with his lips, And lays up deceit within himself; When he speaks kindly, do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart; Though his hatred is covered by deceit, His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.” God does not want us being double-minded (James 1:8). Not only must our words be pure, but our motives must be pure as well. We want to have singleness of heart (2 Chronicles 30:12). This means that we purpose to do and say what is right.
One of the characteristics of those who dwell with God (Psalm 15), is the one who speaks truth in his heart, does not backbite, nor takes up a reproach. He will keep his word even if it is to his own hurt. God honors such people because they partake of His character when they so act. If we want to dwell with God, we would do well to imitate His character in our life also.
God bless you, and I love you.
Kevin Cauley