Psalm 12:3-4  
Smooth talking
      These words are a prayer to the Lord against all forms of flattery, that He will silence these fawning deceivers. The objects of the prayer are those who flatter themselves, who believe their own propaganda. There are many who think that they can say what they like, that they can use words to exploit others and that they are clever enough to defend themselves. How many rich clients depend on the smooth talking of their lawyers?  How many politicians use similar means to get their own way?  How many actually tell it like it is? It is a form of arrogance, for such people are so convinced by their own hype that they have difficulty in distinguishing the truth from lies.  Some people are very clever with their tongues, they look you straight in the eye when they speak, and it is hard to decide whether or not they speak the truth. If we have been given the “gift of the gab” we need to be so careful to use speech wisely. There are many techniques that can be employed to convince people to believe what is being said; experienced public speakers use them, even some preachers. The salesman on the garage forecourt is also well trained in the art of persuasion and flattery is one of his tools. I am not suggesting that all salesmen are in the devil’s employ, although some undoubtedly are! What I am saying is that our enemy is unscrupulous and will use any verbal trick in the book to get us to believe his lies. Can we not see that this is at the very heart of the Satan, this is who he is, this is what he does so expertly? His greatest flattery is that all those who use his psychological tools are convinced that they are right! Against this sinister backdrop David, as is always the case, turns to the Lord. V3 “May the Lord silence all flattering lips and every boastful tongue.”  

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