Each one speaks lies with his neighbor. They speak with flattering lips and with a double heart.
The corruption of society is seen especially in speech. People speak lies to one another and use flattery as a means to gain advantage. “A double heart” literally presents a divided inner world: a person thinks one thing but says another. His speech does not express his true intention. Flattery may sound pleasant, but it is not real love, because its aim is not the other person’s well-being, but to exploit him or to use his trust for one’s own benefit. The verse calls the believer to keep integrity. Truthfulness is not only avoiding false information, but the agreement of speech and heart. A person may not tell a literal lie, yet shape his words in such a way as to mislead the one he is speaking with. God desires truth within a person. Christian speech should be sincere, filled with kindness, and trustworthy. The truth must be spoken in love, and love cannot serve deception.