COME TASTE AND SEE THAT THE LORD IS GOOD
Gen FX — The Boastful Tongue
Understanding EFKS faith for the next generation, Gen FX reflects on today’s EFKS message and scripture in clear, simple language, exploring faith, hope, and God’s presence in everyday life.
FAITH & DEVOTIONSGEN FXEFKS
4/12/20262 min read
A special Gen FX reflection on today’s EFKS message.
Weekly EFKS Theme:
Pride and Prejudice
📖 Bible Reading:
Psalm 12:1–4
(EFKS Tusi Faitau Aso)
Dear Gen FX,
Words can reveal more about us than we realise.
We can use them to encourage, tell the truth and build others up. But words can also be used to impress, deceive, flatter or make ourselves appear greater than we are.
Psalm 12 warns us about this kind of speech. Behind the boastful tongue is something deeper: a heart that has begun to believe it answers only to itself.
THE READING, EXPLAINED
Psalm 12 begins with David looking around at the society in which he lives and asking God for help.
He sees faithfulness disappearing and dishonesty becoming common. People speak falsely to one another. They flatter with their lips while hiding different intentions in their hearts.
David then describes people who confidently say:
“With our tongue we will prevail; our lips are with us; who is master over us?” — Psalm 12:4
Their problem is not simply that they talk too much or speak confidently.
Their words reveal pride.
They believe their ability to speak gives them power. They use their words for their own advantage and behave as though no one has authority over them.
David recognises that this kind of speech is ultimately an issue of the heart.
WHAT THIS THEME IS POINTING TO
A boastful tongue does more than speak proudly.
It places the self at the centre.
Boasting can make our achievements seem greater, make other people seem smaller, or convince us that we deserve recognition. Flattery can sound kind while actually being used to gain something from another person.
Psalm 12 challenges both.
The issue is not confidence. There is nothing wrong with recognising the abilities and opportunities God has given us.
The danger comes when confidence becomes self-importance and we begin to believe that our success, knowledge or words make us greater than others.
Pride asks, “Who is master over us?”
Faith remembers that God is.
WHERE THIS MEETS REAL LIFE
Think about a microphone.
A microphone makes a voice louder, but it does not make the words being spoken more truthful.
Life gives us plenty of microphones. Social media can be one. Popularity can be another. Achievement, influence, education or even our position within a church or family can give our words greater attention.
The question is what we do when people are listening.
Do we use our voice to make ourselves look greater? Do we exaggerate? Do we speak differently depending on who is around? Or can our words remain honest and humble whether anyone is impressed by them or not?
God is concerned not only with how loudly we speak, but with the heart behind what we say.
ONE THING TO HOLD ONTO
A humble heart does not need a boastful tongue to prove its worth.
CLOSING PRAYER
Lord, guard our hearts and our words. Teach us to speak with truth and humility, remembering that everything we have comes from You. Amen.
Signing off,
Alofa Tunoa
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Alofa Tunoa shares budget-friendly recipes, family meals, one-pan dinners, and Pacific Island inspired food rooted in Samoan culture and faith-filled home cooking.