Exaggerated Speech - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) July 28, 2026

The mouth can be dangerous because with it, a person can sin. When we use foul language, lies, gossip and slander against people, or use hypercritical speech about others and even ourselves, our communication disobeys God. When this happens, we create problems for ourselves but potentially for those who hear and believe what we've said, because we may have led them to sin, which God detests.

Exaggeration is another form of speech Christians must beware of, because it can be a slippery slope leading to sinful habits we are to avoid. This is not to address the exaggeration used in comedy. There, it is understood that the story being told includes overstatement and overemphasis to make people laugh. However, when we normal people exaggerate in speech, we enlarge aspects of our story beyond the boundaries of what is actually true, often to make ourselves look better. In doing so, we end up lying, and the listener may be convinced of a falsehood.

There may have been no evil intended when the speaker started communicating. However, the following questions should be asked: Did they exaggerate? In doing so, did the communication express something that was not exactly the case, even if unintentionally? When this happens, they end up in a lie that should be cleared up quickly. This remedy should be implemented even when the exaggeration doesn't cause harm because the key is to be truthful and trustworthy in speech. It is also imperative to repent with a contrite heart to the Lord.

And yes, God takes the things we say seriously. This is why the Bible repeatedly teaches believers to be careful what they say. Jeremiah was warned against saying worthless things in Jeremiah 15:19. Jesus taught us that we will give account for every word we speak, including the worthless/empty/idle ones (Matthew 12:36-37). It, therefore, should be no surprise that God does not want us using exaggerated speech. In fact, we are told in Proverbs 24:28 - Be not a false witness against thy fellow citizen, neither exaggerate with thy lips (BST).

We serve a God who speaks plainly and does not peddle untruths. He does not deceive and indeed is called the God who cannot lie, not just the God who chooses not to lie (Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18). He is our Father, and we are supposed to follow His example and not that of the "father of lies" - satan. It is the children of satan who lie as it does because they follow its example (John 8:44). Hence, we need to pay more attention to how we speak so we don't rely on exaggeration as a crutch when sharing information.

Being a Christian who observes the word of God requires a certain level of discipline in all areas of our life. The restraint needed to do this doesn't come naturally to everyone. But, through Jesus Christ, we have the Holy Spirit whose duty it is to fill us with wisdom and guide us from moment to moment. When we rely upon the Lord's Spirit, honor the instruction to guard our hearts, and pray for help to guard our lips, He will help. We will become more careful how we speak. And we'll see that our communication increasingly gives God the glory instead of depriving Him of it.

Come back for fellowship at Noon EST. Until then, read the Altar Call below and these related messages:

1. Idle Words Block Blessings

2. Careful what you say

3. Careful what you say about yourself

4. 1 Peter 2:17 (Respect, Love, Fear, Honor)

5. Don't Speak Arrogantly About God

6. Speak Truthfully About God

7. The Shimei Lesson

8. Does God Expect Perfection?

9. Gracious Speech

10. Don't Be satan's Mouthpiece

11. Flattering To Death

12. Don't Be Easily Manipulated

13. Topic: Deception, Falsehoods, Liars, Lies, Lying

14. Topic: Don't Break Faith with God

15. Topic: The Royal Law

16. Topic: The Words We Speak