The term "malign" refers to the act of speaking harmful untruths about someone, intending to damage their reputation or character. In a biblical context, maligning is often associated with slander, false witness, and evil speech, which are condemned throughout Scripture. The Bible emphasizes the importance of truthfulness and the destructive nature of deceitful words.

Biblical References:

1. Proverbs 6:16-19 : This passage lists things that the Lord hates, including "a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community." Maligning others can be seen as a form of bearing false witness, which is detestable to God.

2. 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." This verse warns against speaking evil of others, highlighting the importance of maintaining unity and love within the Christian community.

3. 1 Peter 2:1 : "Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind." Here, believers are instructed to put away slander, which includes maligning, as part of their spiritual growth and transformation.

4. Matthew 12:36-37 : Jesus teaches, "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 underscores the seriousness of our words and the accountability we have before God.

Theological Implications:

Maligning is not merely a social faux pas but a sin that reflects a deeper heart issue. It often stems from pride, jealousy, or anger, and it contradicts the biblical call to love one's neighbor (Matthew 22:39). The act of maligning can cause division and strife within the body of Christ, undermining the unity that believers are called to maintain (Ephesians 4:3).

Practical Application:

Christians are encouraged to guard their tongues and speak truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). The Apostle Paul advises believers to focus on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable (Philippians 4:8). By doing so, they can avoid the pitfalls of maligning others and instead build up the community in love and truth.

Historical Context:

In the early church, maligning was a significant issue, as false teachers and divisive individuals often sought to undermine the apostles' authority and the unity of the church. The New Testament epistles frequently address the need for sound doctrine and the dangers of false accusations and slanderous speech.

Moral and Ethical Considerations:

From a moral standpoint, maligning is a violation of the commandment against bearing false witness (Exodus 20:16). Ethically, it is an affront to the dignity of others, as it seeks to harm rather than heal. Christians are called to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9) and to reflect the character of Christ in their interactions with others.

In summary, maligning is a serious offense in the biblical worldview, with both spiritual and communal implications. Believers are called to speak truthfully and lovingly, avoiding the destructive power of harmful words.1. (v.) To speak great evil of; to defame; to slander; to vilify; to asperse.

2. (a.) Having an evil disposition toward others; harboring violent enmity; malevolent; malicious; spiteful; -- opposed to benign.

3. (a.) Unfavorable; unpropitious; pernicious; tending to injure; as, a malign aspect of planets.

4. (a.) Malignant; as, a malign ulcer.

5. (v.) To treat with malice; to show hatred toward; to abuse; to wrong; to injure.

6. (v. i.) To entertain malice.

987. blasphemeo -- to slander, hence to speak lightly or profanely ...
... spoken of as evil (1), blaspheme (4), blasphemed (6), blasphemers (1), blasphemes
(3), blaspheming (4), dishonored (1), hurling abuse (3), malign (2), maligned ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/987.htm - 9k

940. baskaino -- to slander, hence by ext. to bewitch
... bewitch. Akin to phasko; to malign, ie (by extension) to fascinate (by false
representations) -- bewitch. see GREEK phasko. (ebaskanen) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/940.htm - 7k

5594. psucho -- to breathe, blow, to make cool
... blow, refresh with cool air" (Zod, ); (figuratively) "to breathe cool by blowing,
to grow cold, 'spiritual energy blighted or chilled by a malign or poisonous ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5594.htm - 7k

6895. qabab -- to utter a curse against, curse
... curse. A primitive root; to scoop out, ie (figuratively) to malign or execrate
(ie Stab with words) -- X at all, curse. 6894, 6895. qabab. 6896 . ...
/hebrew/6895.htm - 6k

Of the Impiety of the Magic Art, which is Dependent on the ...
... Book VIII. Chapter 19."Of the Impiety of the Magic Art, Which is Dependent
on the Assistance of Malign Spirits. Moreover, against ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 19 of the impiety of.htm

That Only through the Christian Religion could the Deceit of ...
... Book VII. Chapter 33."That Only Through the Christian Religion Could the Deceit
of Malign Spirits, Who Rejoice in the Errors of Men, Have Been Manifested. ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 33 that only through the.htm

The Reaction against Egypt
... The material of the statue is a finegrained limestone, and its milky whiteness
tends to soften the malign character of her look and smile. ...
/.../chapter iithe reaction against egypt.htm

Watkinson -- the Transfigured Sackcloth
... accident, inexperience, indecision, misdirection, imperfection, disharmony; but
they will not allow the presence in the human heart of a malign force which ...
/.../the worlds great sermons volume 8/watkinson the transfigured sackcloth.htm

The Sixth Commandment
... Malice is mental murder. Whosoever hates his brother is a murderer.' 1 John 3:15.
To malign another, and wish evil against him in the heart, is murdering him. ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 6 the sixth commandment.htm

Christianity Requires the Temper of Childhood.
... all that is holy and good, he must divest himself entirely of the fresh and ingenuous
feeling of early boyhood, and receive in its place that malign and soured ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/christianity requires the temper of.htm

Hymn at Cock-Crow
... When hid by shades of dark malign On beds of softness we recline, They call
us forth with music clear Warning us that the day is near. ...
/.../prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/i hymn at cock-crow.htm

Preface
... necessarily be a very imperfect one, as their history is told us chiefly by enemies,
who were both ignorant of their true principles, and eager to malign them. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bevan/three friends of god/preface.htm

It was Christ that Died the Father is Incapable of Suffering ...
... But when we assert that Christ was crucified, we do not malign Him with a curse;
we only re-affirm [8178] the curse pronounced by the law: [8179] nor indeed ...
/.../tertullian/against praxeas/chapter xxix it was christ that.htm

The Hope of Future Bliss
... So with the book of Psalms: had not David been sorely tried by enemies, had not
the foemen shot their arrows at him, had they not attempted to malign and blast ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the hope of future bliss.htm

Malign (6 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Unfavorable; unpropitious; pernicious; tending to injure; as, a malign aspect
of planets. 4. (a.) Malignant; as, a malign ulcer. ...Malign (6 Occurrences). ...
/m/malign.htm - 8k

Longs (11 Occurrences)
... the oppression of the weak and because of the groaning of the needy, I will now
arise," says Yahweh; "I will set him in safety from those who malign him." (See ...
/l/longs.htm - 9k

Garlic (1 Occurrence)
... A bulb of garlic, hung over a bed or over the door of a house, is a powerful charm
against the evil eye and other malign influences. EWG Masterman. ...
/g/garlic.htm - 8k

Groaning (27 Occurrences)
... the oppression of the weak and because of the groaning of the needy, I will now
arise," says Yahweh; "I will set him in safety from those who malign him." (WEB ...
/g/groaning.htm - 14k

Taking (445 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) Agitation; excitement; distress of mind. 6. (n.) Malign influence;
infection. Multi-Version Concordance Taking (445 Occurrences). ...
/t/taking.htm - 35k

Dare (19 Occurrences)
... dared not look. (Root in WEB WEY RSV NIV). Acts 23:4 Those who stood by said,
"Do you malign God's high priest?" (See NIV). Romans 5:7 ...
/d/dare.htm - 12k

Devastation (17 Occurrences)
... the oppression of the weak and because of the groaning of the needy, I will now
arise," says Yahweh; "I will set him in safety from those who malign him." (See ...
/d/devastation.htm - 11k

Malignancy (2 Occurrences)

/m/malignancy.htm - 7k

Maliciousness (2 Occurrences)

/m/maliciousness.htm - 7k

Protect (32 Occurrences)
... the oppression of the weak and because of the groaning of the needy, I will now
arise," says Yahweh; "I will set him in safety from those who malign him." (See ...
/p/protect.htm - 15k

How should Christians view refugees? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about women working outside the home? | GotQuestions.org

Should all mothers be stay-at-home moms? | GotQuestions.org

Malign: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus