Topical Bible: Slander: should Give No Occasion For

◄ Slander: should Give No Occasion For ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Slander, defined as the act of making false and damaging statements about someone, is a sin that is strongly condemned in the Bible. The Scriptures consistently urge believers to avoid giving any occasion for slander, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a reputation that is above reproach.

Biblical Exhortations Against Slander

The Bible provides clear instructions regarding the avoidance of slander. In Ephesians 4:31 , the Apostle Paul admonishes believers: "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice." This verse highlights the necessity of purging slander from one's life, grouping it with other destructive behaviors that are contrary to the Christian walk.

Furthermore, in Colossians 3:8 , Paul reiterates this command: "But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips." The inclusion of slander in this list underscores its severity and the need for Christians to actively distance themselves from it.

Living Above Reproach

The call to live above reproach is a recurring theme in the New Testament, particularly for those in leadership positions. In 1 Timothy 3:2 , Paul outlines the qualifications for overseers, stating, "An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach." Being above reproach involves living in such a way that no valid accusation of slander can be made against a person.

Similarly, in Titus 2:7-8 , Paul instructs Titus, "In everything, show yourself to be an example by doing good works. In your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that is beyond reproach, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed, having nothing bad to say about us." This passage emphasizes the importance of maintaining integrity and sound speech to prevent any occasion for slander.

Guarding the Tongue

The Bible frequently addresses the power of the tongue and the need to guard it carefully. James 3:5-6 warns of the destructive potential of the tongue: "In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell."

Proverbs 21:23 offers wisdom on this matter: "He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress." By exercising control over one's speech, a believer can avoid the pitfalls of slander and the resulting harm it causes to both the speaker and the subject.

The Example of Christ

Jesus Christ serves as the ultimate example of living a life that gives no occasion for slander. In 1 Peter 2:22-23 , it is written, "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth. When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly." Christ's response to false accusations and slander was one of silence and trust in God's justice, setting a standard for believers to emulate.

Conclusion

The biblical mandate to give no occasion for slander is clear and compelling. By living a life of integrity, guarding one's speech, and following the example of Christ, believers can uphold a testimony that is beyond reproach, thereby honoring God and reflecting His character to the world.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Peter 2:12
Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Nave's Topical Index

1 Peter 3:16
Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke x. 2, "The Harvest Truly is ...
... 6. Let us give heed to our Lord, our True ... forced by thy [3288] perverse interpretation
to slander even the ... meet our friends in the way, we should neither pay ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon li on the words.htm

Acts VI
... not anticipated by the precedent, they should be provided for ... of an opposing system
begin to give way, it ... in discussion, they always resort to slander, or to ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts vi.htm

The Folly of Slander. Part 1.
... others; who upon the least discouragement would give over the ... us; if we would reprove
him, we should repel him ... chief and most common kinds of slander; and there ...
/.../barrow/sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/the folly of slander part.htm

"All Our Righteousnesses are as Filthy Rags, and we all do Fade as ...
... God's dishonour, to blaspheme his name, to slander your neighbours ... it cannot make
him righteous; that no good action ... rise off my knees, if I should give my body ...
/.../the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xvi all our righteousnesses.htm

History of the Septuagint.
... These things, ye men of Greece, are no fable, nor do we ... by producing them out of
the Church, we should give occasion to those who wish to slander us to ...
/.../chapter xiii history of the septuagint.htm

Matt. xviii. 21
... Let us accomplish therefore the hating no one, that God also may ... But did he slander
thee to others ... so that not only for his own sins he should give account, but ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxi matt xviii 21.htm

A Sermon of the Reverend Father Master Hugh Latimer, Preached in ...
... It is also a slander to the noblemen, as though they lacked ... with another office,
which alone requireth a whole man: he should therefore give it over ...
/.../latimer/sermons on the card and other discourses/a sermon of the reverend.htm

Christian Sympathy
... appeal to heaven, he shakes off the slander into the ... 1. Remember, first, that their
poverty is no fault of ... Notice, it is a child: we should give in meekness. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/christian sympathy.htm

John vii. 9, 10
... For to slander Him suited their malice and wickedness ... the glory of Him that sent
Me, wherefore should I choose ... whether a man be poor or rich, we give no heed to ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xlix john vii 9.htm

Letter ccxiv. To Count Terentius.
... either be ignorant of the truth, or should even endeavour ... they hold in their wickedness,
and to the slander of the ... If we give them any opportunity by our being ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter ccxiv to count terentius.htm