Defaming, in a biblical context, refers to the act of damaging someone's reputation through false statements or malicious gossip. This concept is closely related to slander, bearing false witness, and spreading rumors, all of which are addressed in Scripture as behaviors contrary to God's commandments and the character of a righteous person.

Biblical References:

1. Prohibition Against False Witness:
The Bible explicitly condemns bearing false witness, which is a form of defamation. In the Ten Commandments, God commands, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (Exodus 20:16). This commandment underscores the importance of truthfulness and integrity in speech.

2. Slander and Gossip:
The Book of Proverbs frequently warns against the dangers of slander and gossip. Proverbs 10:18 states, "He who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool" . This verse highlights the foolishness and destructiveness of spreading false or harmful information about others.

3. New Testament Teachings:
The New Testament continues to emphasize the importance of truthful and edifying speech. In Ephesians 4:29, Paul instructs, "Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen" . This teaching encourages believers to use their words to uplift rather than defame.

4. Character of the Righteous:
The Psalms describe the character of a righteous person as one who refrains from slander. Psalm 15:2-3 describes the one who "walks with integrity and practices righteousness, who speaks the truth from his heart, who does not slander with his tongue, who does no harm to his neighbor, nor casts a scorn on his friend" . This passage illustrates that refraining from defamation is integral to living a life pleasing to God.

5. Consequences of Defamation:
The Bible warns of the consequences of defaming others. In Matthew 12:36-37, Jesus warns, "But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned" . This solemn warning underscores the seriousness with which God views our speech.

Moral and Ethical Implications:

Defaming others is not only a violation of biblical commandments but also a reflection of a heart that is not aligned with God's will. The act of defaming can cause significant harm to individuals and communities, leading to broken relationships and a loss of trust. Believers are called to be ambassadors of Christ, reflecting His love and truth in all aspects of life, including their speech.

Practical Application:

Christians are encouraged to examine their hearts and words, ensuring that they align with the teachings of Scripture. Practicing self-control, seeking forgiveness for past wrongs, and making amends where possible are vital steps in overcoming the sin of defamation. Engaging in prayer and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit can help believers cultivate speech that honors God and edifies others.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Defame.DEFAME; DEFAMING

de-fam', de-fam'-ing: These words occur but twice in the King James Version, and are translations of dibbah, "slander," from dabhath, "to slander," or spread an evil report, and blasphemeo, "to speak injuriously" of anyone (Jeremiah 20:10 1 Corinthians 4:13). "To defame" differs from "to revile" in that the former refers to public slander, the latter to personal abuse.

2636. katalalia -- evil-speaking
... speaking, backbiting, detraction, slander. Cognate: 2636 -- evil speech, slander
(railing, defaming talk). See 2635 (). Word Origin from ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2636.htm - 6k1681. dibbah -- whispering, defamation, evil report
... defaming, evil report, infamy, slander. From dabab (in the sense of furtive motion);
slander -- defaming, evil report, infamy, slander. see HEBREW dabab. ...
/hebrew/1681.htm - 6k

The Folly of Slander. Part 1.
... What do men commonly please themselves in so much, as in carping and harshly
censuring, in defaming and abusing their neighbours? ...
/.../barrow/sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/the folly of slander part.htm

Wherefore, that Thou May'st be Rightly Disposed Both for Thy Soul ...
... may befall on earth: to say GOD'S Service undevoutly and without reverence: backbiting;
flattering: lying: abusing: cursing: defaming: quarrelling: threatening ...
/.../chapter vi wherefore that thou.htm

On Sleeping in Church
... that some are in a perpetual whisper, and by their air and gesture give occasion
to suspect that they are in those very minutes defaming their neighbour. ...
/.../swift/three sermons three prayers/on sleeping in church.htm

Matt. xii. 33
... Since therefore they brought no charge against the works, but were defaming the
Doer of them, He signifies that this accusation is against both the common ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xlii matt xii 33.htm

2 Timothy iii. 4-Jan
... For those who are conscious that they have no good in themselves, whilst they commit
many sins and offenses, find consolation in defaming the characters of ...
/.../homily viii 2 timothy iii.htm

Marcion, Aided by Cerdon, Teaches a Duality of Gods; How He ...
... One of his gods, therefore, whom he was obliged to acknowledge, he destroyed by
defaming his attributes in the matter of evil; the other, whom he laboured so ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter ii marcion aided by cerdon.htm

Against vigilantius.
... Jerome hearing that he was spreading reports of him as favouring the views of Origen,
and in other ways defaming him and his friends, wrote him a sharp letter ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/against vigilantius.htm

But if You Come to the Conclusion that These Fables have Been ...
... in such wise about the gods, you have added to your guilt beyond measure [4551]
in calling base things by the names of deities, and again in defaming the gods ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/44 but if you come.htm

Warrant for Wesley's Arrest
... "And bring him before one of the Bailiffs of the said town to answer the complaint
of William Williamson and Sophia, his wife, for defaming the said Sophia ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/warrant for wesleys arrest.htm

The Trisagion Wrongly Explained by Arians. Its True Significance.
... They then that depreciate the Only-begotten Son of God blaspheme God, defaming His
perfection and accusing Him of imperfection, and render themselves liable to ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/section 6 the trisagion wrongly.htm

Defaming (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Defame. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
DEFAME; DEFAMING. ... Multi-Version Concordance Defaming (3 Occurrences). ...
/d/defaming.htm - 8k

Defeat (16 Occurrences)

/d/defeat.htm - 12k

Whispering (7 Occurrences)
... Psalms 31:13 For I have heard the defaming of many, Terror on every side: While
they took counsel together against me, They devised to take away my life. ...
/w/whispering.htm - 8k

Revenge (13 Occurrences)
... I have suffered rebuke. (KJV). Jeremiah 20:10 For I have heard the defaming
of many, terror on every side. Denounce, and we will ...
/r/revenge.htm - 12k

Denounce (8 Occurrences)
... and hated by nations. (See NIV). Jeremiah 20:10 For I have heard the defaming
of many, terror on every side. Denounce, and we will ...
/d/denounce.htm - 9k

Defame
... 2. (vt) To render infamous; to bring into disrepute. 3. (vt) To charge; to accuse.
4. (n.) Dishonor. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. DEFAME; DEFAMING. ...
/d/defame.htm - 7k

Defames (1 Occurrence)

/d/defames.htm - 6k

Backbite
... calumniating; in Proverbs 25:23, secret talebearing or slandering; in Romans 1:30
and 2 Corinthians 12:20, evil-speaking, maliciously defaming the absent. ...
/b/backbite.htm - 8k

Persuaded (40 Occurrences)
... every one mocks me. (WEB ASV YLT). Jeremiah 20:10 For I have heard the defaming
of many, terror on every side. Denounce, and we will ...
/p/persuaded.htm - 18k

Slip (22 Occurrences)
... DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). Jeremiah 20:10 For I have heard the defaming of many,
terror on every side. Denounce, and we will denounce ...
/s/slip.htm - 16k

How should sin in the church be handled? | GotQuestions.org

Defaming: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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