Help, LORD, because the kind man comes to an end, because the faithful disappear from among the sons of man (Psalm 12:1).
When the worthless are exalted among men, the wicked prowl on every side (Psalm 12:8). They speak vanity to their neighbors, flattering with the lips while speaking from a double heart (Psalm 12:2). A double heart is a person whose loyalties are split.
The LORD will cut off the flattering lips and the tongue that speaks proud things (Psalm 12:3). The wicked say they will prevail with their tongue, for there is no master over them (Psalm 12:4). The LORD will rise against the violence to the poor, and hear the cries of the afflicted (Psalm 12:5). The words of the LORD are like pure fine silver (Psalm 12:7). He will keep them and preserve them from this generation perpetually (Psalm 12:6).
When men reject kindness, the wicked flourish. Paul quotes the Psalmist in Romans 3:12, saying no one does kindness. James describes the double-souled man, who is unstable in all his ways (James 1:8). Both Paul and James describe the unrighteousness that resides in the lips of men (Romans 3:13; James 3:5–6).
Even today among the Church many rise who speak perverse things, drawing away disciples unto themselves (Acts 20:30). False teachers change the grace of God, corrupt the mind from the simplicity that is in Christ, and change godliness into gain (Jude 4, 2 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Timothy 6:5). They teach another gospel, claiming salvation by works; yet, many assemblies accept them (2 Corinthians 10:16). Salvation comes by believing the facts of the gospel: Christ died on behalf of our sins and was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:1–4). Adding anything to this message, including making Jesus the Lord of your life and repenting of sins, is false. Along with false gospels, they bring another spirit (2 Corinthians 10:16), claiming special gifts and authority never given to the Church. With smooth speech, they cause the hearts of the simple to wander from the truth (Romans 16:18).
Just as in David’s days, even today men grow worse in their deception (2 Timothy 3:13). However, the Lord is not slack in His promises, as some count slackness (2 Peter 3:9). He knows how to preserve the unrighteous for judgment (2 Peter 2:9). Therefore, let us not walk in their path, rejecting the works of darkness and walk in the light, for the night is well spent; the day is coming (Romans 13:12).
