Bible Word of the Day

Double-Tongued (Dilogos, Doublespeak)

Meaning
The term “double-tongued” or “doublespeak” is used to refer to the speech of non-believers. Those who do not know Christ and follow the world. The Apostle Paul in his letter to Timothy warns him that this type of behavior should not be found in a follower of Christ. And moreover, this behavior is a consideration for exclusion from leadership. Anyone who was found to be double-tongued was automatically disqualified from a leadership role within the church. Double-tongued specifically refers to saying different things to different groups of people depending on what it is they want to hear. Today we use the phrase, “talking out of both sides of one’s mouth.” It also includes using our words to mask our true intentions or to hide negative consequences. Speech directly intended to mislead those we are speaking with, to make them think something other than what we are truly saying.

This behavior stems from a heart in love with self and the world. A heart which places its desires for the things of the world above God. This includes pandering to those we want something from. As well as generating false conversation with people in positions of influence in order to gain something or special privileges in return. These are all tactics of a world at enmity against God. These are the tricks of people in rebellion against Christ, which they use on a regular basis. They do so believing themselves to be clever. They do so not realizing, their actions betray the hatred in their hearts toward others. And it’s important to remember God looks not just at what we say, but how we say it and the motives of our hearts as well.

This would also include puffing ourselves up with exaggerated or false claims in order to appear to be better than we are, or to appear to be something we are not. In addition, and this may be hard to remember, but it also includes the act of purposely leaving out information when speaking to others. Information, which, if stated would either mean less for ourselves, or give credit to someone other than ourselves. In other words, using our words or withholding information to steal something from others, even if that something is only attention and recognition.