What other scriptures warn against slander and its effects on relationships? Setting the Scene: Ezekiel 22:9 “Among you are slanderers who shed blood, and in you are those who eat on the mountains; they commit lewd acts in your midst.” Israel’s breakdown of justice was traced to tongues that tore lives apart. Scripture repeatedly circles back to the same warning: careless, malicious speech poisons every relationship it touches. Old Testament Echoes—God’s Consistent Warning • Exodus 20:16 — “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” • Leviticus 19:16 — “You must not go about spreading slander among your people.” • Psalm 15:3 — The one “who does not slander with his tongue” may dwell in God’s presence. • Psalm 101:5 — “Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret I will destroy.” • Proverbs 10:18 — “Whoever spreads slander is a fool.” • Proverbs 11:13 — “A gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy spirit conceals a matter.” • Proverbs 16:28 — “A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.” • Proverbs 17:9 — “He who brings up an offense separates friends.” • Proverbs 26:20-22 — Without gossip, conflict cools; with it, strife blazes. New Testament Reinforcement—The Call Intensified • Romans 1:29-30 — A depraved mind is “full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice; they are gossips, slanderers.” • Ephesians 4:31 — “Get rid of all… slander.” • Colossians 3:8 — “Put aside… slander and filthy language.” • Titus 3:2 — “To malign no one, to be peaceable and gentle.” • James 4:11 — “Brothers, do not slander one another.” • 1 Peter 2:1 — “Rid yourselves… of all malice… and slander.” • 1 Peter 3:10 — Guard tongue and lips to “see good days.” Relational Fallout—What Slander Actually Does • Erodes trust; people pull back in self-protection. • Splits friendships and families (Proverbs 16:28). • Ignites wider conflict; like adding fuel to fire (Proverbs 26:20-21). • Stains a church’s witness, grieving the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30-31). • Invites God’s opposition; He “destroys” secret slanderers (Psalm 101:5). Positive Speech Habits That Heal • Speak only what builds up (Ephesians 4:29). • Cover an offense with love when possible (Proverbs 17:9). • Verify facts—never pass along unconfirmed stories (Proverbs 18:13). • Practice silence when words are unnecessary (Proverbs 17:27-28). • Bless those who wrong you (Romans 12:14). • Let Christ’s words dwell richly, reshaping every conversation (Colossians 3:16-17). Key Takeaways for Daily Speech God treats slander as blood-shedding violence because it murders reputations and ruptures community. From Sinai to the letters of Paul and Peter, the message stands unchanged: guard the tongue, protect relationships, and reflect the Lord who is “full of grace and truth.” |
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