"Talking Shop"

“You talked only about violence and told nothing but lies; you sat around gossiping, ruining the reputation of your own relatives.” Psalm 50:19,20

The literal meaning of the two phrases in verse 19 is of great interest. The wicked are spoken of as “sending your tongue” out to do violence. They talk of violence, and violence alone.

The “sending out” pictures an envoy dispatched with a purpose and message. In this description of the wicked, we see the tongue used as that messenger, and the message is “violence”. Though there is an entire spectrum for which language can be used, the wicked choose violence and hatred as their primary purpose in communication.

And they “fashion” nothing but lies. This goes far beyond mere common lies that come from the mouths of many. These common lies are as hurtful as any other; lies to maek ourselves look more innocent, lies to make someone else look more guilty, lies to hurt someone else, lies to get people’s attention, lies to protect our self-interests, etc.

But this phrase describes people in their shop behind their house, molding their lie, building it up, buttressing it in case someone might object, and applying the frills to make it appear more palpable. They spend their time, as does any craftsman, making sure their project is the best they can produce. And, because their lies are so well fashioned, shaped by their own hand, they are obstinate in their insistence of its truth.

That is why they “sit around” gossiping. It is their greatest achievement, their trophy on the mantle. Everyone admires their creative attention to detail. Their story is so perfect that is must be true. Hand-crafted, it must be the best thing on the shelf. The content is never scrutinized because the inventiveness is so original. It is clear the speaker has put a great deal of work into their finished presentation.

Oh, but the content has devastating consequences, even though the words are fashioned as if by a professional. These people are more concerned about their own pursuits that they do not care how it affects someone as close to them as their own relatives. At weddings they have gossip about the groom, at funerals they fight for possessions from the deceased, at dinners they entice people to anger against the democrats, at coffee they craft lies about the republicans. Attention to themselves and muddying the waters are all they are concerned with.

Scripture is very clear about the power of the tongue. Jesus told us that the words we speak actually indicate the true nature of our heart. If we lie, even small lies, on a regular basis, there is little truth within us. If we use our words for violence, there is certainly a raging storm within our own self. If we speak of others to bring them down, there is definitely an uneasiness about our own worth within.

This Psalm is a portrait of the “wicked” and, I am sure, few of us fall into that category. Yet the observations of the power of words still speak to us. We may not have every attribute of the wicked, but we all fall flat in many areas of words and conversation. We have a defensive choice about the use of language.

Just as the wicked “send forth” their words for violence, can’t we send them as words for health and restoration? When we have the option to build someone up, even if the spotlight is off of ourselves, do we send out positive words immediately? Or do we tear down someone else (sending forth words of violence) so that we can be seen in a better light?

How about our workshops where we fashion what we are to speak? Are we working hard to change words that are dishonest? What is there that comes out of my mouth that is untrue, uncalled for, and we know might cause harm? Are we constructing a new way of speech that will keep us from lying, and make honesty the trophy we desire to display?

Violence, lies and gossiping; Oh the pain so many experience from the handful of stupid words that come from our mouths. James was right when he wrote that the tongue kindles forest fires, is untamable, filled with unruly evil and full of deadly poison. He drives the message home that we bless God our Father and curse men with the very same tongue. With it we bless and curse! (James 3:3-12)

God is not satisfied with 75% truth and 25% honesty. He is unimpressed by 89% healing and 11% violence. He gives no trophies for 15% gossip and 85% encouraging words. God’s standard is always perfection. We must never excuse the misuse of the tongue as if we have no control of our words.

God does forgive, and knows we all fall short. But He never accepts excuses for our own decision to use words for harm. Start today to be honest with God and others about the time use misuses this wonderful gift of language. Confess your faults to Him, realize He has completely forgiven, and let the freshness of that forgiveness always be the source of Your spoken words.