Smooth Talkers

            The Bible often warns against the harsh use of words.  The apostle Paul listed abusive speech as one of the sinful habits that should be abandoned in the new life of a Christian (Colossians 3:8).  A destructive tongue is variously characterized as a “sharp razor” (Psalm 52:2) or a “sharp sword” (Psalm 57:4; Proverbs 12:18).  If you have ever been on the receiving end of the weaponized words of a skilled practitioner, you likely have the scars to prove it.

            But there is another form of speech that doesn’t have the jagged edge of harshness but can be just as destructive.  The Bible also warns us about smooth talkers who use their words to damage us.  The Psalmist speaks of one whose “...speech was smoother than butter, but his heart was war; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords” (Psalm 55:21).  The wise father in Proverbs warns his son of the deceptive words of the temptress: “For the lips of an adulteress drip honey and smoother than oil is her speech; but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword” (Proverbs 5:3-4).  As Paul closes his letter to the Roman church, he references troublemakers who would seek to lead them away from the truth: “For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting” (Romans 16:18).

            In some ways, the smooth talker is even more dangerous than the harsh talker.  The intentions of one using abusive speech are easily identified as destructive. There is no doubt about what is going on.  But the motives of the smooth talker are harder to discern.  He or she may be saying good things in pleasing ways but still seeking to harm you.

            Be on guard against the smooth talker.  And, even more importantly, let’s all seek to speak in pleasing ways -- but never as a cover to harm anyone else. 

God loves you!

Mike