Solomon counseled his students to beware of dishonest speech.
Lying lips conceal hatred,
and whoever utters slander is a fool.
When words are many, transgression is not lacking,
but the prudent are restrained in speech.
The tongue of the righteous is choice silver;
the mind of the wicked is of little worth.
The lips of the righteous feed many,
but fools die for lack of sense. (Proverbs 10.18-21)
Dishonest people use various means to deceive the unaware. They may harbor hatred but conceal it with lies.
The Psalm writer clearly understood the nature of this kind of deception.
With speech smoother than butter
but with a heart set on war,
with words that were softer than oil
but in fact were drawn swords. (Psalm 55.21)
Slander involves making false statements about someone that can harm their reputation. Consider how often you hear this kind of deception through the media or among your associates.
The term “spinning” refers to providing information that is biased or misleading to favor a particular viewpoint or to manipulate perception.
“Gaslighting” involves the deliberate use of falsehoods, denial, and other tactics to make the victim question their reality, often to gain power, control, or cause emotional harm.
Both “spin-doctors” and gaslighters use many words to deceive their listeners.
Fools believe that there will be no accountability for their actions.
Only one word is needed for godly speech, “righteousness.” Righteousness and justice are two cardinal aspects of God’s character. God’s followers will embrace God’s character which will be shown by their behavior.
The Problem of Dishonest Speech
The kinds of dishonesty I listed above are very common in public and private life. We do well to consider their impact on society.
When a society is pervaded by dishonest speech, we can expect the following. Observant people will easily recognize these results of dishonesty.
(Note: I found the following list on the Internet. I found it to be an accurate description of the problem.)
(1) Eroding Trust: Dishonesty undermines trust.
When people cannot trust public figures, institutions, or the information they receive, it can lead to a breakdown in social bonds and cooperation.
(2) Polarization: Dishonesty can contribute to political and social polarization.
When public figures or media outlets propagate false or misleading information, it can further divide people along ideological lines, making it difficult to find common ground and engage in constructive dialogue.
(3) Misallocation of Resources: Public funds may be diverted for personal gain rather than used for the benefit of society, leading to economic inefficiency and inequality.
(4) Undermining Democracy: In democratic societies, honesty is essential for the functioning of the electoral process.
Dishonesty, such as voter suppression or election fraud, can undermine the legitimacy of democratic institutions and processes.
(5) Reduced Civic Engagement: When people perceive that dishonesty is pervasive in the public space, apathy will result.
Russian people are apathetic to the corruption and dishonesty of their government. They expect little change and attempt to live their lives as well as possible.
(6) Social Cohesion and Harmony: Dishonesty can contribute to social unrest, conflict, and even violence.
When people feel deceived or manipulated by those in power, it can lead to protests, demonstrations, and, in extreme cases, civil unrest.
(7) Economic Consequences: Dishonesty in the public and private sectors can have economic repercussions.
For example, corporate fraud can lead to financial crises, while government corruption can discourage foreign investment and hinder economic development.
I could list more issues, but I think these are sufficient.
Our Response
What shall be our response to Solomon’s lesson on dishonest versus righteous speech?
First, we should commit to exhibiting God’s righteousness in every aspect of our lives.
Jesus said, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12.34).
The “leaves on the tree” are the words we speak, which are either deceptive or righteous. The “roots of the tree” reflect our hearts.
Let’s do everything in our power to allow the Holy Spirit to influence our inner self.
Just as I wrote in yesterday’s article, let’s pray for leaders and lovers of God. May God enable multitudes to repent and return to God and His ways.
YouTube Video
Rudy Ross and I discuss this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 