100 Days with David 2025 Day 19: People often speak deceitfully. However, God’s word is always true.

“They speak idly everyone with his neighbor; With flattering lips and a double heart they speak. The words of the Lord are pure words, Like silver tried in a furnace of earth, Purified seven times.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭12:2, 6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

I can remember watching westerns (the content of which would now be very politically incorrect) where a Native American (then referenced as an Indian) would say something along the lines of: “White man speaks with forked tongue.” As you may know, what this means is that a person is speaking in a way meant to deceive. (We also used to say, “speaking out of both sides of your mouth.”)

Actual forked tongues are a common feature among reptiles. You see, reptiles use their tongues to “smell,” and the forked tongue is useful for detecting the direction in which they will find their prey.

OK, I’m going to say it: People who speak with a forked tongue are also looking for “prey.” Indeed, they look to do any number of self-serving things, from manipulating others to taking advantage of others. But whatever their goal, you can be sure that their deceitful words are means to the end of furthering their agenda.

This scripture from Proverbs is often quoted without the full context:

“Do not eat the bread of a selfish man, Or desire his delicacies; For as he thinks in his heart, so is he [in behavior—one who manipulates]. He says to you, “Eat and drink,” Yet his heart is not with you [but it is begrudging the cost].”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭23:6-7‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Now, it is true that what a person is thinking on the inside of themselves is who they actually are. But, this proverb was meant to put forth the warning that you have to be careful of people who say one thing, meaning another; or who say one thing, but are using deceit to control in some way or another.

Another proverb instructs the listener to not be “that person,” to not be the one who speaks deceitfully:

“Put away from you a deceitful (lying, misleading) mouth, And put devious lips far from you.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭4:24‬ ‭AMP‬‬

In today’s portion from David’s psalms, we see that David had had his fill of people speaking with forked tongues. But—as he always does—he contrasts God’s way of being and doing with man’s ways. In this case, he contrasts the deceitful tongues of many men, with the pure tongue of the Lord. He references the Lord’s word as being purified like silver. In other words, just as purified silver has no dross, the Lord’s word has no deceit.

In this psalm, said to have been sung by David when the Lord delivered him from Saul and his other enemies, David expresses the same theme of the purity of God’s word:

“As for God, His way is blameless. The word of the Lord is tested [it is perfect, it is faultless]; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭18:30‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Now, I can pretty much know that you have dealt with your share of “forked tongues.” The first thing I will say is, make sure you are not one of “those people.” And as for those who do speak deceitfully, look out for them! Even (and especially) when they are speaking flattering words to you.

For today let us know and understand what David knew:

People often speak deceitfully, but God’s word is always true.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!