Six Types of Tongues Part 4

A Naughty Tongue

Proverbs 17.4: "A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue."

While the word naughty often brings to mind the image of a wayward child who regularly receives reproof for his foolishness or disobedience, the word naughty in today's text denotes something much more serious in the eyes of God. A naughty tongue, much like both the backbiting and the deceitful, lying tongues, says things with intention of promoting wickedness. A heart that is determined to harm another person, either verbally, emotionally or physically, fuels this cruel speech. A naughty tongue is a wicked, evil tongue that, as James 3.6 describes, "is set on fire of hell." Our text tells us that those who listen to the words uttered by a naughty tongue are liars, just as ones who heed "false lips" are evil doers.

Notice that a naughty tongue does not secretly utter slanderous words to another person, as does a backbiting tongue; but rather, its speech is uninhibited, spiteful and confrontational. When one verbally attacks someone in order to "set him straight" on a particular issue, then gentleness, meekness and humility are certainly not evident in his life, even though the Lord requires these fruits of the Spirit to grace one's speech. God's Word tells us that even though we might harbour anger in our hearts, we must not allow that anger to manifest itself in a sinful manner, and certainly lashing out with a naughty tongue at someone is sinful indeed (Eph. 4.25-27). To succumb to our flesh is to "give place to the devil," and no believer should ever yield his actions to the enemy of his soul. Believer, guard your tongue against speaking that which is hurtful or spiteful. God hates such language, and so should we.

Country Mama