Speak plainly and try to understand, not to corner the other person

Ask questions mainly to expose a weak spot

Keep part of the truth hidden so you can keep the advantage

Use religious language to make the other person lower their guard

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I admit that I have sinned and need your mercy. Forgive me for the wrongs I have done, for the times I have used words selfishly, and for the ways I have tried to save myself. I turn from my sin and trust that you died for me and rose again. I confess you as Lord and ask you to lead me in truth. Amen.

Receive Me in Truth

Lord, revive your Church from hidden motives, religious games, and careful schemes. Give us clean hearts, truthful speech, and courage to seek what is right instead of what only wins. Make us a people who cannot bear to trap others with our words, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Make Your People Honest

Father, I confess that I have sometimes used words to protect myself, win approval, or gain the upper hand. Forgive me. Turn my heart away from manipulation and make my speech honest, gentle, and true, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Turn My Speech From Scheming

Before speaking, ask God to search your motive, to show you whether you want truth or victory, and to give you one plain sentence that is honest and kind. Then pause and listen before you reply.

Pray Before a Hard Conversation

Thank God for the gift of honest words, for leaders and friends who seek truth instead of traps, and for his help when conversations feel tense or risky.

Thank God for Truthful Speech

Pray for people who are being cornered, misled, or pressured by clever speech; for courage to answer truthfully; and for communities where trust grows because words are used with integrity.

Guard Others From Manipulation

Τότε{TO-te###TOH-teh###Then} πορευθέντες{po-ref-THEN-tes###poh-rehf-THEHN-tehs###having gone} οἱ{hee###hee###the} Φαρισαῖοι{fa-ri-SE-ee###fah-ree-SEH-ee###Pharisees} συμβούλιον{seem-VOO-lee-on###seem-VOO-lee-ohn###counsel} ἔλαβον{E-la-von###EH-lah-vohn###(they) took} ὅπως{HO-pos###HOH-pohs###how} αὐτὸν{af-TON###ahf-TOHN###him} παγιδεύσωσιν{pa-yee-DEV-so-seen###pah-yee-DEHF-soh-seen###to trap} ἐν{en###ehn###in} λόγῳ.{LO-go###LOH-goh###speech}

Matthew 22:15 — DynamicTAB

More on this verse