Topical Encyclopedia The term "backbiteth" is an archaic form of the word "backbite," which refers to the act of speaking maliciously or slanderously about someone who is not present to defend themselves. This behavior is condemned in the Bible as it sows discord and damages relationships within the community of believers.Biblical References: 1. Proverbs 25:23 : "As the north wind brings forth rain, so a backbiting tongue brings angry looks." This proverb highlights the natural consequences of backbiting, comparing it to the inevitability of rain brought by the north wind. Just as the weather is affected by the wind, so too are relationships affected by a backbiting tongue, leading to anger and strife. 2. Psalm 15:1-3 : "O LORD, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill? He who walks with integrity and practices righteousness, who speaks the truth from his heart, who has no slander on his tongue, who does no harm to his neighbor, nor casts a slur on his friend." This passage describes the character of a person who is worthy to dwell in the presence of God. It explicitly states that one who refrains from slander and backbiting is considered righteous and upright. 3. Romans 1:28-30 : "Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful; they invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents." In this passage, the Apostle Paul lists backbiting among the sins that characterize those who have turned away from God. It is grouped with other serious offenses, indicating the severity with which it is viewed. 4. James 4:11 : "Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. And if you judge the law, you are not a practitioner of the law, but a judge of it." James warns against speaking ill of fellow believers, equating such behavior with judging the law itself. This underscores the importance of maintaining unity and love within the Christian community. Theological Implications: Backbiting is seen as a violation of the command to love one's neighbor as oneself (Matthew 22:39). It is an act that undermines trust and unity within the body of Christ. The New Testament frequently emphasizes the importance of edifying speech and the destructive nature of the tongue when used improperly (James 3:5-10). Practical Considerations: Believers are encouraged to guard their tongues and to speak only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs (Ephesians 4:29). The practice of backbiting is to be replaced with encouragement, truthfulness, and love. Christians are called to hold each other accountable and to address grievances directly with the person involved, following the biblical model of conflict resolution (Matthew 18:15-17). In summary, backbiting is a serious offense in the biblical context, one that is contrary to the teachings of Christ and the apostles. It is a behavior that believers are urged to avoid in order to maintain the integrity and unity of the church. Library The Ninth Commandment Whether Backbiting is Suitably Defined as the Blackening of ... Whether Backbiting is a Graver Sin than Tale-Bearing? We Shall not be Curious in the Ranking of the Duties in which ... Resources What does it mean to “remember Lot's wife” in Luke 17:32? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is wrong with date-setting for the end times? | GotQuestions.org If Moses met face to face with God, why, later, was he not allowed to see God's face? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
    |