Twist my words

“Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous.” Exodus 23:8

Twist my words means something was said has been repeated to take on a whole new meaning from which it was intended. There is usually a malicious intent to misrepresent the person who said it. This comes from Psalm 56:5 when David cries to the Lord because his enemies are attacking him, “All day long they twist my words; they are plotting to harm me.”

Oh I get myself in so much trouble when I just start talking from my heart without consciously thinking. My words get misconstrued. I remember a specific time I said something regarding a topic and then it was repeated to deliberately malign my reputation. I was crushed that my careless words had inflicted pain on someone I loved. God knew the intent of my heart but he also knew the intent of the one who gossiped.

I believe God allows these things to happen in our life to make us aware that all our actions have consequences. Nothing is more humbling than to be scolded by God. Everything we do affects those around us. We’re either going to build others up with our words or tear them down. I choose the former.

Honesty and intregity go hand in hand. Proverbs 14:5 reminds us, “A truthful witness does not deceive but a false witness pours out lies.” I’d like to think that the older I’ve gotten, the wiser I’ve become. My objective is to please Him, not others.

As difficult as it is to be hurt by someone, we’re still called to forgive them. We all make mistakes and harboring ill feelings towards someone doesn’t do any good. It festers up in our heart and Satan uses that to create an even deeper wound making it harder to forgive.

Solomon gives us a harsh reality in Proverbs 12:22, “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful.” Even though it’s painful to be deceived by someone who deliberately twists our words, we can use this as a life lesson and move on. I’m thankful God knows the intention of our hearts and He has given us the Holy Spirit to help us discern the ones we can’t trust.