[Biblemat] "He Speaks out of Both Sides of His Mouth"

[Don Martin]

               "He Speaks out of Both Sides of His Mouth"
                                   By Don Martin



English is one of the most colloquial and fluid languages of all.  We
have so many expressions that are replete with picturesque figurativeness.
"He speaks out of both sides of this mouth" is describing a man who
speaks contradictory things.  Some of the American Indians, themselves
great speakers in terms of figures and hyperboles, were heard using this
and similar expressions.  James addressed such a man in his following
statement:

"9: Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we
men, which are made after the similitude of God.
10: Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My
brethren, these things ought not so to be.
11: Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
12: Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs?
so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh" (Jas. 3).

Not long ago, I on several occasions witnessed contradictory speech.
The serious thing about such speech is not just the misinformation, but the
evident corrupt heart that produces such opposing language.

I read one email correspondence wherein a preacher was questioned by
another as to the multiple causes for divorce doctrine that is catching on
like wild fire these days.  "Others are lying about what I teach, I teach
only one cause for divorce," said he.  "Of course, we have to allow for
the woman  of the cruel man, she must have the recourse and the option
of divorce rather than having to live with such a brute, even though, he
does not commit adultery."

What do we say about such speech?  Could it simply be an explainable
accident or incident?  Should we be more tolerant of such language,
thinking that the speaker may have a communication deficiency?

During the same time period, I read the writings of a man who said:  "I
consider the current debates over what constitutes biblical divorcement
as an utter waste of time and of no consequence."  Yet, this same man is
preaching that all who do not conform to his teaching on the subject are
false teachers that must be viewed as unworthy of fellowship, even
swine they are.

"I believe baptism is necessary to salvation," I heard one say and then in
almost the same breath stated, "If we teach baptism is essential to
salvation, we are in effect teaching the Catholic doctrine of water
salvation."

I conducted a conversation with a member who said, "No, I do not
believe that if my daughter is not married in the church building, her
marriage is unscriptural.  However, a marriage not in the church is
simply pagan and has no spiritual meaning and involvement."  What is
a "church wedding," anyway? I am now hearing of "church divorce,"
what is that?  However, I suppose if you can have "church weddings,"
you can have "church divorces."

I could go on and on, sighting examples and instances in which some
have spoken contradictory things.  No, I do not think we can explain
such away by saying such is just an accident or lack of speaking skill.
It is much more serious than these offered explanations.  As James
stated, such a contradictory circumstance involves an aberration and
grotesque condition. There is a serious flaw that is systemic in nature
and origin and not just surface or shallow.  Brethren and churches are
too often in a state of confusion over such men.  These men are usually
characterized by verbosity, as it often takes much speech to mislead
and cover up such intentional deceit.  "He speaketh out of both sides
of his mouth" is not found verbatim in the scriptures, but the idea is
certainly present, as seen.

Paul made two statements of particular interest, "1: I say the truth in
Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy
Ghost" and, "18: But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea
and nay" (Rom. 9; 2 Cor. 1).  As we read what Paul wrote to the
Christians in Rome, he is consistent throughout the sixteen chapters.
When we compare Romans and Second Corinthians as they dealt with
like subjects, there is no disharmony or contradiction.  Yet, some today
cannot speak one minute without speaking converse and diametrically
opposed things.

Preachers, especially, should be able to forthrightly, clearly, and without
ambiguity reply to basic questions and teaching situations.  If they lack
such skill, they do not need to be preaching.  However, for the most
part, I say based on observation, such men exemplify a large and
serious measure of corruption and deceit, speaking out of both sides of
their mouth as circumstances dictate (cp. 2 Cor. 4: 2).  I had one to tell
me regarding a preacher whom he has questioned relative to a certain
doctrinal stance:  "When I asked him about what you had said his
position was he said, 'Don Martin is telling lies, I do not believe what
Martin says I do.'"However, this man read an exchange that I had with
the preacher and told me, "Don, ....he just simply lied to me!"  There is
far too much of this sort of conduct going around these days!  Our
speech reveals who and what we are, speaking out of both sides of our
mouth says we are dishonest and deceitful (cp. Matt. 12: 34f.).
Moreover, lying is a sin (Col. 3: 9).

Cordially,
Don Martin  dmartinbtbq at comcast.net

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