Category Archives: Poison

Bible, Deception, Falsehoods, Poison, Scripture, Tongue

NASTY MOUTHS

ROMANS 3:13

“‘THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN GRAVE, WITH THEIR TONGUES THEY KEEP DECEIVING,’ ‘THE VENOM OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS’”

I have never seen a grave opened after someone has been in it for a while, but I can imagine the scene and smells. What a disgusting idea. All over our neighborhood people have decorated their yards for Halloween without even thinking about the reality of death. They have skeletons and hands coming up out of the ground. They almost seem to be glorifying death. Listen, the grave is real and it’s a place from which you will not escape, unless…

Paul is quoting in today’s verse from two different Psalms. “Their throat…keep deceiving is from Psalm 5:9 and “the venom…lips” is from Psalm 140:3. The Psalmist was definitely painting an ugly picture about speaking falsehoods and slandering others. It’s meant to make us evaluate our tongues and ensure that we speak truth and good of others.

APPLICATION

My thoughts immediately went to Ephesians 4:29 which says, “Let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but if there is any good word for edification according to the need of the moment, say that, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” How many times have you heard people at church talking about someone else in a negative way? Of course, we disguise it as a prayer request, lol. We just love putting others down because we think it makes us look better.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 tells us to do the same thing. “Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you also are doing.” Every time we speak evil about someone, it’s like taking a hammer and chisel and chipping off pieces of truth in your life. If you are always speaking evil or gossiping, no one will ever believe you if you happen to tell the truth.

Here is another passage in Romans written by Paul, which we will examine more closely later on. Romans 15:1-2 reads, “We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” If you think you are spiritually strong, then Paul tells you how to speak to your neighbor. Don’t let the tongue spew forth venom, as the Psalmist said. Speak truth in love and build up each other.

Thank You, Lord, for those in my life who speak truth into me and build me up.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Advice, Bible, Condemnation, Confession, Destruction, Encouragement, Gossip, Guilt, Holy Spirit, Judgment, Lies, Lying, Poison, Rebuke, Scripture, Surrender

POISONOUS LIPS

HOSEA 10:4

“They speak mere words, with worthless oaths they make covenants; and judgment sprouts like poisonous weeds in the furrows of the field.”

Have you ever known people who can’t seem to say one good thing about anyone? They are always critical. They find fault in everyone. They question everyone’s motive. You can almost see the poison dripping from their lips. These are not people you want to be around. To do so can cause you to “catch” their poison.

Israel was reeking of poison. Their oaths and covenants with pagan gods were a stench in the nostrils of the Lord. He promised judgment on them because of this. Judgment was sure. Today’s verse even says it will be like poisonous weeds in the field. That wasn’t good for man or animal. God’s judgment will affect them all.

APPLICATION

I am sure you have never spoken evil of anyone. Right? Come on, be honest. We have all been guilty of spewing poison, haven’t we? But as believers, we can’t do that. We must speak love to others, even those who harm us. Now, that’s hard. It is actually impossible, unless you allow the Lord to be your spokesman.

Don’t you think the Lord loves all those people you have spoken evil of? Of course, He does. He wants them to walk in the Spirit as much as He wants you to do that. If we would stop and look at others as Christ sees them, we would not speak poisonous words about them.

I have been guilty of this more times than I want to say. My flesh rises up when I have been offended. I want to “get back” at them. I take up a loved one’s offense and demand justice. I know the Lord isn’t pleased with that attitude. Sooner or later, I have to come to Him and confess that as sin, which it is.  Poisonous lips always poisons the one who speaks.

Father, forgive me for my poisonous lips. Remind me through Your Holy Spirit that my tongue belongs to You.

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