A Simple Prayer for Help - (over the tongue)

Introduction

Good Morning The past few psalms that we have been looking at were psalms that took place during a specific time in the life of David. This time was a particularly hard time for David, It was a time of confusion, for He was anointed by Samuel to be king of Israel, He was invited to Saul’s court but after some time Saul grew threatened by David and tried to kill him. Now it must be made clear that David had a solid faith in God, yes there were times of doubt and confusion which we see many times recorded in the psalms but David never faltered in his love and trust of God. Even though He may have experienced some hard times David always refereed back to God’s wisdom and providence. And in that he trusted. As we said in the beginning of the series the psalms are a collection of songs, prayers, and pleas they are beautifully worded pieces of poetry that not only move the heart of God and bring Him glory they are guides for us as well, for theology, practical living and to help us in our spiritual journey. They have been used as prayers for the church ever since we have had them all collected. They are a prayer book for those who do not know how to pray, or for those who do not have the words, or for encouragement in times of trouble.

The psalm that we are going to examine today is a beautiful example of a simple prayer. If you have not prayed or do not know how to pray then pay attention. The psalms are a prayer book. Prayer helps us grow closer to God. Now this psalm that we will look at does not set out to teach us to pray but it is a simple outline on how to pray and this model is seen through many psalms and even in the way we teach you how to pray here at Shiloh. The theme of this psalm will be discussed latter on in the sermon but please pay attention to the simple outline of many psalms and put them into practice in your own walk with the lord. You will see that in our psalm today there is 3 componants to David’s prayer

1. A plea for help

2. The reason for the help

3. and praise to God for who he is

Simple prayer, ask God for help, tell Him why, and then praise Him for who He is.

Now today’s prayer that David prays is about the ungodly and their mouth. The ungodly tongue. One of the distinguishing marks of an godly person and a non-believer is their mouth. David is a victim of the ungodly tongue and we all have been as well. One of the first ways (not fool proof) to see if a person is not a Christian is how they speak. There are marks of a redeemed life and one of those marks is what are the words a person is speaking. Psalm 12 David asks God for help in dealing with the ungodly speak that he is facing.

Lets read

As we see in our text today David gives a simple prayer a plea for help against the ungodly and their evil words. We are fully aware the damage a persons words can inflict on another. Now I am not speaking about the modern day version or recent advent of offending everybody. No I am talking about deliberately using our words to hurt or damage someone, to bring them pain. We have all been victim of this and it is very real. I even at 48 years old carry the scars of what people have said to me 40 years ago. Words can hurt words can damage people and we weld a great weapon that if not kept in check and destroy someone. David was not only struggling with keeping himself alive physically he was trying to keep himself from falling into discouragement and despair. Military has used this tactic for ever, not only would they wage physical combat but they would also engage in psych-ops it is a strategy that works to dishearten an enemy. David was under this attack. Not only was he facing physical attack but also psychological attack as well. As Christians we need to be prepared for such attacks and understand this is the strategy of Satan as well.

David in this prayer asks God for help to overcome this attack. He in his wisdom calls out the evil use of the tongue and makes a comparison between the ungodly type of speech and the words of God. And of course we also need to know the distinction as well. Sometimes the words of God sting. Many times they are words of correction and meant to place or minds and souls back on the right tract. God’s word never meant to hurt or destroy us but He will tell us the truth even though we may not like it or even if it offends us. However the words of the ungodly are wicked , nasty, degrading, and are meant for our destruction, they may even sound good and pleasant, and even encourage us in our sinfulness, but never for our good always for our destruction. We must use discernment.

In Psalm 12 David shares 3 types of words that the ungodly are using against him for his harm.

I. Lies from the ungodly vs 2 We all have fallen victim to lies before. Lies come in various forms, from real outrageous ones that people have said about us to just some exaggerations. It doesn't matter the extent to them they are just not true. The ungodly will lie. This of course is contrary to God and His people. But why would someone lie against you? There are many reasons, jealousy, anger, rage, even as some sort of sick game, some cannot help themselves to lie it is a compulsion. But the fact remains the ungodly will lie. David faced untruth against him. It was an attack against his character his integrity. People will lie about you, it is a fact. They will spread rumors and gossip about you to attack your character. It is in fact an attack against God in you. People will see something in you that they desire, but they cannot obtain it so they will try to corrupt you. What does lies about you accomplish? We for one it stains who you are to others, makes them question if you are the man or woman you claim to be. Doubt. It also make you question you. One thing it does not do is change the way God sees you.

God hates lying - Pro 6:16-17 “There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,” Pro 12:22 “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.”

God will punish liars - Pro 19:9 “A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will perish.” Ps 101:7 “No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes.”

Lying is not a mark of a Christian - Col 3:9-10 “Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” Eph 4:25 “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.” Rev 21:8 “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.””

II. Flattery from the ungodly - vs 2-3 Another tool that satan uses and those who are ungodly employ is the use of flattery. What is flattery- it is the excessive and insincere praise given to another, especially to further one’s own interests or agenda. David had to be cautious not to fall into this trap of becoming enamored in another’s praise. This again is where you must have discernment. I mean if feels good when others give you praise we all like it, it makes us feel good. But just because someone is nice to you and is saying nice words it may not be genuine and may only to be for their good and not yours. This usually happens from unlikely sources, not from people who have proven themselves to you like a spouse. This week riding home Rebahka looked at me and told me I did an amazing job at her uncle’s funeral. I needed that because I was nervous preaching to a room of pagans and at a lost man’s funeral. My job was to bring hope and and the gospel its a heavy duty task. She was not flattering me she was encouraging me. But flattery has ulterior motives, it is for personal gain, not to help the person that is being praised,

a. Flattery is a trap - Pro 29:5 “A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.” Pro 26:24-28 “Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart; when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart; though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling. A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.”

b. Flattery is not godly - Job 32:21-22 “I will not show partiality to any man or use flattery toward any person. For I do not know how to flatter, else my Maker would soon take me away.” Rom 16:18 “For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.”

c. Flattery shows who a person really is - Jude 1:16 “These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.”

Speak the truth and do it in Love flattery has no place in the Christian, dont do it and dont fall for it

III. Pride from the ungodly - vs 4 David mentions the prideful speak of the ungodly. Pride is the downfall of humanity it was Satan's downfall and it is what caused humanity’s downfall. Pride is no good there is no redeeming qualities in it. We need to stop the pride if we are Christians, pride of all sorts in God’s eyes it is all evil. White pride, black pride, gay pride, straight pride, republican pride, democrat pride, baptist pride, Methodist pride, American pride, Canadian pride, fat pride, thin pride.... stop we are all wretched and have nothing to pride in. Paul say 1 Cor 1:26-31 “For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.””

a. with pride comes destruction - Pro 11:2 “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.” Pro 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Pro 29:23 “One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.”

b. Pride is a mark of the ungodly - Pro 8:13 “The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.” James 4:6 “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”” Pro 16:5 “Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.” Rom 12:16 “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.”

C. Prideful are blinded, They think they are more wise than God - Pro 13:10 “By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom.” Pro 26:12 “Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” Jeremiah 9:23 “Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches,”

The words of the wicked are not hard to spot, they are in contrary to the words of God

God’s words are

Pure

Truth

Encouraging

Who’s words are you listening to?

Why is it important to watch our mouth?

It reveals who’s we are - are we Christ’s or the world your mouth will tell the world

Our mouths are a part of us and changes when we are born again - our mouths are reformed along with our minds (has your mouth been born again?)

Our mouths are the primary source of the gospel -

Pro 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”

James 3:1-12 “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, …”