The Evil Tongue Is The Flattering Tongue

The evil tongue is the flattering tongue, that will speak fair to one's face, but will defame, "He that hateth, dissembleth with his lips" (Proverbs 26:24).

When he speaks fair, believe him not; dissembled love is worse than hatred.

Some can commend and reproach, flatter and hate...honey in their mouths, but a string of malice in their hearts: better are the wounds of a friend, than the kisses of such an enemy. 

Hierom says, "The Arian faction pretended friendship; they (says he) kissed my hands, but slandered me and sought my ruin."

Many have dissembling tongues, they can say, your servant, and lay snares, "A man that flattereth his neighbour, spreadeth a net for his feet" (Proverbs 29:5).

You often think you have a friend in your bosom, but he proves a viper. 

To dissemble love is no better than to lie; for there is a pretense of that love which is not. 

Many are like Joab, "And Joab said to Amasa, art thou in health, my brother?

And he took him by the beard to kiss him, and he smote him in the fifth rib that he died" (2 Samuel 20:9-10)

For my part, I must question his truth towards God, that will flatter and lie to his friend.

God will bring such an one to shame at last, "Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be showed before the whole congregation" (Proverbs 26:26). 

~Thomas Watson~