Speak Not with Forked Tongue

GREEK WORD WITH ENGLISH TRANSLITERATION: διλoγος (dilogos)

PRONUNCIATION:  DIL-log-os

STRONG’S CONCORDANCE #: 1351

MEANING: double-tongued; two-worded

ENGLISH WORDS DERIVED FROM: dialogue (2-way speaking)

BACKGROUND OF WORD (ETYMOLOGY): two Greek words meaning "two-worded" of "double-tongued"

HOW TRANSLATED IN KJV AND/OR ESV:  double-tongued

# OF TIMES USED IN THE GREEK NEW TESTAMENT: 1

VERSES IN THE BIBLE WHERE GREEK WORD USED:

1 Timothy 3:8 - "Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued (διλόγος) ." ESV

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

   

Do You Know People Who Talk Out of Both Sides of Their Mouths?  Have you ever known a person who agreed with whomever he was talking to at the moment? When they were with you, they agreed with you. But when they were with someone else who had a different opinion, they agreed with that person. Did that person's opinion fluctuate so quickly that it nearly shocked you?

It is very difficult to build trust with a person like this because you never know if they are really with you, or if they’re just agreeing with you to your face until they can turn around and disagree with you behind your back. This type of person's lack of integrity makes it difficult to build a significant relationship with them.

Even if I don't always like what others say or think, their honesty is very important to me, for it guarantees truthful relationships. The day someone tells me one thing but then turns around and tells someone something else is the day my trust in that person is disrupted. In 1 Timothy 3:8 the apostle Paul called this kind of person “double-tongued” (διλόγος).

This Greek word διλόγος (dilogos) for “double-tongued” is a compound of the words ‎di ‎and ‎logos‎. The word ‎di ‎means two, and the word ‎logos ‎means words. When compounded together, these two words form the word ‎dilogos‎, which could be literally translated two-worded. It is the picture of a man or woman who says one thing to one person but a different thing to the next. In other words, people like this are inconsistent in what they tell others. They are so wishy-washy that their opinion is constantly fluctuating, depending on whom they are speaking to at the moment.

This is usually an indication that this person is a people-pleaser. Because they want everyone to like them, they agree with whomever they are with at the moment. This is a serious character flaw. In fact, 1 Timothy 3:8 forbids us from giving this kind of person any prominent place of leadership in the ministry. It is also a principle that should be taken into consideration when looking for a prospective leader in any church, business, or organization.

Truthfulness is necessary so trust can be built between leaders and followers. It is compulsory in marriages, in friendships, and in relationships between employers and employees or between a pastor and his leaders. If a long-term relationship is to be built, trust is not optional — it is essential.

If there is a person in your church, business, or organization who is constantly changing what they say depending on who they are with at the moment, I urge you not to elevate this person into a leadership role. That person doesn't demonstrate the character that is required in leaders.

Being honest isn't always easy. Often it is very difficult. But truthfulness is the clearest and most noble path. The challenge we face is learning how to “speak the truth in love” as Ephesians 4:15 commands us.

I've learned that the truth isn't so difficult to hear; it is the way truth is sometimes spoken that can be difficult to hear. It is much easier to hear the truth if it is mixed with love, patience, and understanding. I think you know that cold water thrown in your face is not very enjoyable. In fact, it can be such a chilling experience that you may be tempted to throw it right back! So when you are the one speaking the truth to someone else, ask the Holy Spirit to help you know how to speak your opinion in a non-threatening and respectful manner.

In Ephesians 4:25, the apostle Paul commanded us, “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour....” In Greek, the tense of the word “speak” points to habitual action. In other words, God wants you to develop the habit of always telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God! If you are guilty of agreeing with whomever you are talking to at the moment, it's time for you to ask the Holy Spirit to help you overcome this weakness.

CHALLENGE FOR THE DAY:

Take time to “think before you speak” today.  If your opinion is required, be sure to speak exactly what you think and believe. And before you speak, pray for grace to speak the truth kindly. Once you have said what you believe, stick to what you said. If you later decide you were wrong, go back to the person you talked to — your pastor, boss, friend, or so forth — and tell him that you've changed your position. That person will appreciate your honesty. On the other hand, if you tell one person one thing and then turn around and say something different to someone else, the first person you spoke with will not understand your behavior. They will view you as a hypocrite who cannot be trusted, as someone who is double-tongued.

But what if you are the leader, pastor, or employer, and you have someone working under your authority who is constantly switching what they say, depending on whom they are talking to? In that case, take Paul's words to heart. Don't promote that person to a higher level of responsibility until this habit has been broken. Don't lay hands on a person who is double-tongued!

PRAYER OF THE DAY:

Lord, please forgive me for the times I have been two-faced and double-tongued, speaking different things to different people. I realize it is wrong to act this way with those who are over me in authority. They need to be able to rest assured that I am being truthful with them, and now I see that I have given them a cause to doubt my word. Forgive me, and please help me conquer this serious character flaw in my life. Holy Spirit, help me today to uproot this double-tongued tendency from my life. Teach me how to habitually speak the truth! I pray this in Jesus' name! Amen.