Do I speak like a rotting carcass?

Psalm 5
David asks God to "Listen to my words, Lord," (Ps 5:1), because he must plead for God's "favor as with a shield," in a particularly evil situation (Ps 5:12). There is a common theme to the evil men who surround David: they are "boastful," and "speak lies" and are like a "deceitful man" (Ps 5:4-6). So, the most probable sin to fit this type of person would be flattery and wicked counsel. It is not difficult to imagine David speaking about one of the wicked counselors either to him when he was king or plotting against him when Saul was king or in Absalom's rebellion. Particularly fitting would be a man like Ahithophel who as David's counselor conspired against him with David's son, Absalom, in a temporarily successful coup. After being told of his adviser's treachery, "David prayed, 'O Lord turn Ahithophel's counsel into foolishness,'"(2 Sam 16:31). If the wicked adviser prompts Psalm 5, David perceives flattery and wicked advice like speech from a dead body that pollutes everything.

"There is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue. Make them bear their guilt, O God; let them fall by their own counsels," (Ps 5:9-10).

Is this too harsh? Certainly, to intentionally deceive one who trusts you for your advice is pretty low. History casts out the traitors. Yet, could not Ahithophel have thought that David's indecisive leadership demanded a drastic change? Could he have not reasoned that David's son Absalom possessed exactly the kind of personality and leadership qualities that could turn Israel back to prosperity? Such ends do not justify his treachery, and David's vivid critique is warranted. God is both the source of, and characterized by, truth, so to spew forth lies is blatantly ungodly.

What may be surprising is first that simple flattery is attacked so ruthlessly. Treachery may be vile, but what's wrong with telling someone they look great when in fact they look hideous? One need not berate people to speak truthfully. For advisers, kings needed men who would speak truthfully, and consistently with God's word. A king surrounded by "yes" men was ultimately alone and without counsel. Similarly, we all need friends who will dare to speak honestly more than telling us what they think we want to hear. Why? Because it is through difficult confrontation that we often become keenly aware of our sins, the need for God's help to change, and have the impetus to do so.

The warning in Psalm 5 is clear: do not use words to lie, even in something as seemingly innocuous as flattery, because ultimately such false words only lead to death, potentially for both speaker and listener. Thus, David prays that God would let deceivers fall by their own counsel. The encouragement is twofold. First, do not speak deceitfully, but ask God to "lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness," (Ps 5:8). Part of this prayer includes speaking the truth, and being willing to confront others rather than flattering them. The stronger encouragement is the source of strength to obey, "you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover him with favor as with a shield," (Ps 5:12). We can dare to speak the unpopular truth, knowing that God leads us to speak truthfully, and takes care of the implications.

This short psalm has implications for evangelism. Many times when we meet someone who needs to hear the gospel we allow natural fear to override Godly zeal. Instead of simply asking a friend, "What do you believe about Jesus?", I will waffle into a more ambiguous category, "Do you go to church?". Do I have the courage to tell someone who does not believe in Jesus that Scripture clearly states they are under (and will be eternally) God's wrath (John 3:36)? This is perhaps the most dramatic case in which telling people what they want to hear is speaking like a rotten carcass, because the Gospel brings life, and the Spirit has already brought us to the opportunity to speak.

For those who suffer from flattery and habitual lying, there is hope. Take refuge in God, and dare to pray like Isaiah, "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips," (Isa 6:5). Embrace forgiveness in Christ after confessing your sin, and ask for His grace to transform your words. Fill your mind with true and truly valuable things, following Paul's advice to the Philippians, "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things," (Phil 4:8). Begin to consciously pray before you speak, asking for His grace to speak kindly and truthfully. You will be amazed at how faithful God is to transform our very words into something true, beautiful, and life-giving.

Toby Mac fittingly sings the command, "Speak life to the deadest darkest night...look into the eyes of the brokenhearted, watch them come alive as soon as you speak hope, you speak love, you speak life," (from "Speak Life").