SINS OF THE TONGUE (I)
Lying
Definition*: “a false statement made with the intention of deceiving: anything misleading or of the nature of imposture.”
Scripture: “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.” (Exod 20:16). “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” (John 8:44).
Examples: Deception, half-truths, exaggerations (Gen 3:1-5, 12:10-20, 20:1-18, Acts 5:1-11)
False Accusation
Definition: “an accusation of wrongdoing that is not true.” (legaldictionary.net)
Scripture: “A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.” (Prov 19:5). “If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong; Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days; And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother; Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you.” (Deut 19:16-19). “And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.” (Rev 12:10).
Examples: Falsely charging someone of a crime he did not commit (Gen 39:6-20, Num 16:1-3, Matt 26:59-61, Acts 16:19-24).
Gossip
Definition: A gossiper is “one who goes about telling and hearing news or idle, malicious, and scandalous tales.”
Scripture: “A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.” (Prov 11:13).
Examples: Spreading rumours, discussing others’ private matters unnecessarily (Num 12:1-8, 16:1-3, Esth 3:8-9, John 7:12).
Slander
Definition: “a false or malicious report: injurious defamation by spoken words or by looks, signs, or gestures.”
Scripture: “Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.” (Ps 101:5). “He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.” (Prov 10:18)
Examples: Defamation, character assassination (1 Sam 24:9, 1 Kgs 21:8-13, Job 22:5-11).
Flattery
Definition: “to treat with insincere praise and servile attentions: to please with false hopes or undue praise: to overpraise: to represent over-favourably.”
Scripture: “A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.” (Prov 26:28). “A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.” (Prov 29:5).
Examples: Compliments with hidden motives (Matt 22:15-17, Ezek 13:10).
Boasting
Definition: “to talk vaingloriously (vain or empty glory in one own’s performances): to brag.”
Scripture: “Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.” (Prov 27:2).
Examples: Bragging about wealth, skills, or accomplishments (Dan 4:30, Luke 12:16-19).
Bullying or Verbal Abuse
Definition: A bully is “a cruel oppressor of the weak: a blustering, noisy, overbearing fellow.” A bully can use his tongue to speak in a way that is hurtful, harmful or destructive.
Scripture: “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” (Prov 15:1). “By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.” (Prov 25:15). “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” (Col 4:6).
Examples: Insults, shouting in anger, derogatory remarks (2 Sam 16:5-8, 2 Kgs 2:23-24, Neh 4:1-3, Luke 23:39).
Obscenities
Definition: Using language that is “filthy; offensive to the senses or sensibility, disgusting: indecent esp. in the sexual sense.”
Scripture: “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” (Eph 4:29). “But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.” (Col 3:8).
Examples: Cursing, using the ‘F’ word and the like, uttering vulgarities (Matt 26:73-74).
Jesting
Definition: To say “something ludicrous … to joke … to jeer at, ridicule.”
Scripture: “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.” (Eph 5:3-4)
Examples: Cracking jokes at the expense of others, making fun of others, telling dirty jokes (Judg 16:25, Matt 27:28-29).
Grumbling or Murmuring
Definition: “to murmur with discontent.”
Scripture: “Do all things without murmurings and disputings” (Phil 2:14). “Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.” (1 Cor 10:10).
Examples: Having a cynical attitude, constantly finding fault with others, whining about circumstances (Exod 16:7-8, Num 14:26-29).
Mockery
Definition: “to deride: to scoff derisively: to make sport of: to mimic in ridicule.”
Scripture: “A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.” (Prov 14:6). “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.” (2 Pet 3:3-4).
Examples: Sarcasm with malicious intent, scorning or scoffing at others, belittling others (2 Chron 36:16, Luke 23:36-37).
*Definitions are taken from Chambers Dictionary unless otherwise stated. JK
