Text: Job 15:5
- Intro:
- The Bible describes all kinds of tongues.
- We are studying tongues that are an unruly evil.
- Notice the unruly evil of a:
- Crafty tongue – Job 15:5 – “thou choosest the tongue of the crafty.”
- A crafty tongue is cunning and skillful in devising and pursuing a scheme.
- Absalom used a crafty tongue to steal the hearts of the men of Israel [2 Sam 15:1-6].
- The Pharisees and Herodians used a crafty tongue when they tried to catch something in Jesus’ speech that they could use against him to accuse him [Mk 12:13-15].
- Tertullus used a crafty tongue when he addressed Felix in Acts 24:1-4.
- Contrast what these men said with what Nicodemus said in John 3:1-2.
- Nicodemus was sincere.
- Deceitful tongue – Psa 52:4 – “thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.”
- Psa 120:2, also.
- This is the wily, subtle tongue just like the devil used against Eve in Gen 3:1.
- In Eph 4:14 there are those who lie in wait to deceive young Christians.
- Jacob had a very deceitful tongue, although he did not want to be known for it [Gen 27:12; Gen 27:18-24].
- Lying tongue – Psa 109:2 – “they have spoken against me with a lying tongue.”
- This tongue must be put off when we get saved [Eph 4:25].
- It is easy to spot; just hold up what it says to the truth.
- Jezebel and the false witnesses lied against Naboth [1 Kings 21:8-13].
- False witnesses lied against Stephen [Acts 6:11-14].
- The old prophet lied to the young man of God [1 Kings 13:18].
- These are rulers, religious leaders and prophets; and they are liars.
- Perverse tongue – Prov 17:20 – “he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.”
- A perverse tongue deviates from what is right or good.
- It is disposed to be contrary.
- In Acts 20:30 Paul warned of men speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
- They take a side that is contrary to the preacher.
- In 1 Tim 6:5 (see vs. 1 Tim 6:3-5) they take a side that is contrary to the words of the Lord.
- Contrast the tongue of wisdom in Prov 8:8, which is never perverse.
- Conclusion:
- Be careful when others use these tongues against you.
- And never use these tongues against others.