Topical Bible: Slander: Saints should Keep Their Tongues From

◄ Slander: Saints should Keep Their Tongues From ►

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Slander, defined as the act of making false and damaging statements about someone, is a sin that the Bible consistently warns against. It is a destructive force that can harm relationships, reputations, and communities. The Scriptures provide clear guidance for believers, urging them to refrain from such behavior and to use their words to edify and build up others.

Biblical Warnings Against Slander

The Bible explicitly condemns slander as a sin. In the Old Testament, the book of Leviticus instructs, "You must not go about spreading slander among your people. You must not endanger the life of your neighbor. I am the LORD" (Leviticus 19:16). This command underscores the seriousness with which God views slander, equating it with endangering a neighbor's life.

The Psalms also speak against slander, highlighting its destructive nature. Psalm 101:5 states, "Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not endure" . Here, the psalmist reflects God's intolerance for slander and pride, emphasizing the need for integrity and humility.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, the apostle Paul frequently addresses the issue of slander in his letters to the early churches. In Ephesians 4:31, he writes, "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice" . Paul encourages believers to rid themselves of all forms of negative speech, including slander, as part of their transformation in Christ.

James, the brother of Jesus, also warns against the dangers of the tongue. In James 4:11, he admonishes, "Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it" . James highlights the relational damage caused by slander and the importance of maintaining unity and love within the Christian community.

The Call to Righteous Speech

The Bible not only warns against slander but also calls believers to use their speech for good. In 1 Peter 3:10, it is written, "For, 'Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech'" . This verse encourages believers to pursue a life of righteousness by controlling their tongues and avoiding deceit.

Proverbs 10:18 further reinforces this idea: "He who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool" . The wisdom literature of the Bible consistently associates slander with folly, urging believers to seek wisdom and understanding in their speech.

Practical Application for Believers

For Christians, the call to avoid slander is part of a broader commitment to live a life that reflects the character of Christ. Believers are encouraged to speak truthfully, lovingly, and with grace. Colossians 4:6 advises, "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone" . This guidance serves as a reminder that words have power and should be used to uplift and encourage others.

In summary, the Bible provides clear instruction for believers to avoid slander and to use their words to promote peace, unity, and love within the body of Christ and beyond. By adhering to these teachings, Christians can honor God and reflect His love to the world.

Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 34:13
Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking guile.
Nave's Topical Index

1 Peter 3:10
For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
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Library

The Resurrection
... glances, your hands from bribes, your tongues from slander. ... Christ's coming to judge
us, should keep us from ... glorious privileges with which the saints shall be ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/3 the resurrection.htm

Faustus Fails to Understand Why He Should be Required Either to ...
... This is nothing else than to slander good men, and to ... is intolerable that the reader
or learner should dare to ... perfection will not come to the saints till the ...
/.../faustus fails to understand why.htm

Mormonites, or the Church of the Latter-Day Saints.
... in the earth, and that it should come forth ... known, false reports, misrepresentation,
and slander flew, as ... of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Philadelphia, we ...
/.../hayward/the book of religions/mormonites or the church of.htm

The Great Assize
... are not perfect, but all God's saints keep their eyes on ... evidence to prove my faith,"
I should reply, "Hold ... he put up with rebuke, and slander, and persecution ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/the great assize.htm

Moab is My Washpot
... of aiding the purity of the saints; its afflictions ... Their opposition, slander, and
persecution, are a rough ... our faults"at least, they should not"neither do ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/moab is my washpot.htm

Obadiah
... to thrust him out of his place, slander him to ... have showed for his name's sake, in
ministering to his saints. ... do right, for without thy help I should have done ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon ix obadiah.htm

The Third Book
... tyrannous persecutors; the blood of the saints is not ... is there that permits himself
no slander whatever, that ... The same action should not demand his indulgence ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the third book.htm

The Church as She Should Be
... world if they can, or to bespatter them with slander if they ... pray for him." Yes,
and all of us should say, "If ... Know ye not that the saints shall judge the world ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the church as she should.htm

Preparing to Depart
... and all his people with him; and if Jesus shall ride on the white horse of victory,
his saints shall ride ... That is what you should do ... Let my foes slander me," he ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 54 1908/preparing to depart.htm

True Christianity Defended
... to curse or swear, not to lie or slander, not to ... We are all indeed called to be saints,
and the very ... Is there sufficient care taken that they should know and ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 134 true christianity defended.htm