September 20, 2019 I resolve not to use enticing speech.
Instead, I will speak
sincerely and truthfully.
Enticing speech is all around us: on the Internet, TV, movies, music, billboards. It’s at lunch with co-workers and behind us in the check-out lane.
It’s used by companies wanting to increase their bottom line regardless of the cost to society or the environment. Desperate to remain in power, they sow lies to perpetuate fear and greed.
It’s resorted to by individuals placing their own desires before those of their target. Enticing speech is all the speech that lures us to do lesser things. Not vigilant enough, we succumb. Subtle or obvious, polished or crude, enticing speech misleads us.
It distracts us from what is truly important: living an honorable life, helping others, and attaining a good rebirth. Often finding ourselves on the receiving end of enticing speech we know how it feels. We need to guard against using it on others.
Enticing speech is a weapon. One we should disdain, and never reach for.
