The Cloven Tongue

Last month we began this study by seeing why the Bible likens the devil to a snake. To further this analogy we are now going to focus on his slippery serpent-like tongue.

First, we must look at this article’s title, The Cloven Tongue. There is an instance in the King James rendering of Acts where the cloven tongue is used of the Holy Spirit empowering the believers to speak in tongues. This is not what I am going to discuss here. Rather, the cloven tongue is simply to say that when a snake shoot his tongue out straight toward you, that tongue which is forked at the tip, almost appears as if it is really two separate tongues. This is a cloven tongue, describing Satan in a powerful way. 

The word ‘cloven’ itself is simply the past participle of the verb ‘cleave.’ I’m sure most of us are familiar with ‘cleave. It is a unique word in that it appears to be a homonym within itself—one meaning is “to cling to,” and the other “to tear apart.” Though this one word carries meanings that are opposite, Satan uses both to wage war against believers.

1. Cleave: To Cling To 

An initial meaning for ‘cleave’ is to cling or adhere to something. We may understand this better when placed in the context the Bible uses. After God had created Adam and Eve, Genesis 2:24 tells us, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” The Hebrew word for ‘cleave’ in this sentence includes the figurative idea of catching by pursuit, then clinging and adhering. The result is seen in our verse, “…and they shall be one…”

It may be very comforting to regard our relationship with God as having this type of cleaving that involves a clinging to. 1st Corinthians 6:17 says, “He who unites himself with the Lord is one with the Him in spirit.” What may be discomforting is to associate cleave with the devil. Genesis 25:24-26 gives the account of the births of Jacob and Esau. They were twins born to Isaac and Rebekah, Esau being the first-born. Jacob exited the womb second, holding fast to his brother’s heel.

As we picture this scene, we must realize it is very similar to Satan’s actions. Scripture tells us that when we become Christians, we are reborn. Satan, though, clings firmly to our heels as we enter our new life. But, Thank God, we have the prophesy given in the beginning of His Word that though the devil will strike Christ’s heel, Jesus Christ will give a mortal blow to the enemy’s head, crushing it and gaining victory for all eternity (see Genesis 3:15).

2. Cleave: To Divide

The other definition, which is probably more familiar to us, is to divide by force. This may instantly bring visions of a meat cleaver, which forcefully divides a piece of raw meat into two separate parts. The sharpness of the blade determines the effectiveness when dividing the meat. It will take much longer to cut with a blunt blade than it will be with one that has been recently sharpened.

A meat cleaver is a great way to view Satan, for he has one goal in regards to Christians: He seeks to divide the church, the family, and even our relationship with Christ. As Christians, we are secure and cannot really be separated from Him. The devil does, however, create the feelings of separation, especially after we realize we have failed the Lord. After sinning we feel as if God has abandoned us, when the truth is God has never left. These feelings of spiritual loneliness are simply another attack of the devil. 

As Satan uses his blade to cut into our minds, our hearts, and our wills, the sharpness of his blade determines his effectiveness, as with the butcher using a meat cleaver. We may be required to endure the stabbing and slicing of Satan’s sword, but God’s Word is filled with advice on how we can dull his blade and avoid the full impact of his blow. One of the greatest methods given to us is the armor analogy, given by Paul in Ephesians. This spiritual armor is ours “so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes (Eph. 6:11ff).” Study of this particular passage is most beneficial in our battles with Satan.

Carefully considering these two diverse meanings of separating and clinging to can give us a closer look into the deceitful methods Satan is apt to use.

Satan’s Forked Tongue

This is the moment in which our word ‘cleave’ can be seen as used by Satan in relation to his tongue. Just as a snake’s tongue is forked at the tip, so the devil’s is also divided. He stares directly into our eyes, shooting his tongue toward our unsuspecting faces. It appears that we see two contrasting tongues, when it is really an illusion created by the division of his single tongue into two tips. As we look at these tips separately it is vital that we realize they originate from the same place – the mouth of Satan. Each tip contains a different side of our enemy, both of which are equally evil and dangerous. 

The most obvious tip of Satan’s tongue is the one bearing such extreme chaos and destruction that it is impossible to miss. We see evidence of this every time we flip through television stations or leaf through newspapers containing regional and national news. One touch of the remote can bring non-stop images of pain and heartache: kidnapped and abused children, murder, rape, life threatening illnesses, and worldwide terrorism. As children of God we know that these things originate from the devil, who is the prince of this world. Many of the largest problems we witness are the result of sin, which in turn result from adherence to the will of the devil.

The obviousness of the devil’s work is undeniable when he works in large ways but what can trip us up are the smaller, more subtle ways he connives. We are often caught off guard by the second tip that extends from his tongue, containing nothing less than outright deception. Since mankind’s first discovery of Satan in the Garden of Eden he has shown himself to be a talented deceiver. Jesus makes an undeniable statement regarding Satan in John 8:44 as he says, “(the devil) was a murderer from the beginning, and held not to the truth, because there is no truth in him.  When he speaks a lie, he speaks his own language; for he is a liar, and the father of all lies.” Promise after promise is offered by the devil, but all he delivers is emptiness and deceit. He is a destructive ship that leaves regret in his wake.    

The truth is, Satan finds it very easy to convince us that we do not need God. He gives us words we desire to hear, then stabs us with his concealed blade, leaving us spiritually lifeless. His greatest desire is to cleave, or divide, us from our Father and Creator. We have the assurance from the Holy Word of God: “…that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all of creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:38-39).

We have the great assurance that, as Christians, we are safe and can never be separated from Him. What Satan works to do, though, is to cause us to feel as if God is distant. He darts his tongue out differently depending on his victim. But no matter which tip he uses, it will always connect to a single tongue set on division.

We are to always remain watchful of that cloven tongue and constantly work to keep our relationship with the Lord pure and our faith steadfast. As we live out our daily walks with the Lord, constantly in battle with the devil, as well as our flesh, we can look to some of the great promises of the Bible that can give us the strength we need to persevere.

One of the ways certain snakes kill their prey is by injecting poisonous venom into the enemy. Beginning next month, we will begin observing some of Satan’s poisons in the various philosophies that are leading us and our children astray.

For the first article in this series, please click on the date 2009.06.01 below. I pray that the Lord blesses you in ways that further His Kingdom.