How does Proverbs 30:10 warn against slandering a servant to their master? The Verse at a Glance “Do not slander a servant to his master, lest he curse you, and you bear the blame.” (Proverbs 30:10) Defining the Warning • Slander is the deliberate spreading of damaging, false, or distorted information about someone. • Solomon forbids turning a master’s ear against a servant; the prohibition is absolute—“Do not.” • The motive can be jealousy, malice, or a desire to gain favor with the master. Scripture treats every form of slander as sin (Proverbs 10:18). Why Focus on a Servant? • In ancient households, servants had little social power; an accusation could cost them livelihood or life. • The verse protects the vulnerable, revealing God’s heart for justice (Exodus 23:1). • Slandering “downward” is especially tempting because the servant cannot easily defend himself. Two-Fold Consequence Highlighted 1. The servant “curse[s] you.” – His appeal to God for redress calls divine attention (Genesis 12:3). – Scripture treats unjustly earned curses as effective; God hears the cry of the oppressed (Exodus 22:21-23). 2. “You bear the blame.” – Guilt rests squarely on the slanderer; God holds him liable even if the master never discovers the falsehood (Proverbs 19:5). – The wording assumes literal accountability before both God and people. Echoes Elsewhere in Scripture • Exodus 23:1 — “You shall not spread a false report.” • Leviticus 19:16 — “You shall not go about as a slanderer among your people.” • Psalm 15:1-3 — The righteous does not “slander with his tongue.” • James 4:11 — “Do not slander one another, brothers.” • Ephesians 4:31 — “All slander must be removed from you.” Lessons for Daily Life • Guard every conversation; do not repeat negative information unless it is verified, necessary, and constructive. • Refuse to leverage another person’s social status for personal gain. • When you hear gossip about someone under authority, protect them by steering the conversation toward facts and fairness. • If you have participated in slander, seek forgiveness from God (1 John 1:9) and from the one you wronged whenever possible. • Cultivate speech that blesses rather than curses (Ephesians 4:29). Living the Verse Choosing integrity in speech honors God, protects the vulnerable, and shields us from the burden of guilt. Proverbs 30:10 stands as a clear, literal call: keep your words truthful, charitable, and just—especially toward those who cannot easily defend themselves. |
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