Topical Bible: Slander is Venomous

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Slander, as depicted in the Bible, is a grievous sin that is likened to venom, causing harm and destruction to both the speaker and the subject. The Scriptures consistently warn against the use of slanderous speech, emphasizing its destructive power and the moral corruption it reveals in the heart of the slanderer.

Biblical Definition and Context

Slander is defined as the act of making false and damaging statements about someone. It is a form of bearing false witness, which is explicitly condemned in the Ten Commandments: "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (Exodus 20:16). Slander is not merely a social faux pas but a serious moral failing that disrupts community harmony and violates God's law.

The Venomous Nature of Slander

The Bible often uses vivid imagery to describe the nature of slander. In Psalm 140:3, the psalmist compares the tongues of slanderers to the venom of serpents: "They sharpen their tongues like snakes; the venom of vipers is on their lips" . This metaphor highlights the insidious and deadly nature of slander, which can poison relationships and reputations.

Proverbs 16:28 further illustrates the divisive power of slander: "A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip separates close friends" . The venom of slander spreads discord and mistrust, undermining the fabric of community and fellowship.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

Slander is not only harmful to others but also reveals the spiritual state of the slanderer. Jesus teaches that the words we speak are a reflection of our hearts: "For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34). A heart filled with malice and deceit will naturally produce slanderous speech.

The Apostle Paul admonishes believers to rid themselves of slander, among other sins, as part of their new life in Christ: "But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips" (Colossians 3:8). Slander is incompatible with the Christian call to love and truth.

Consequences and Warnings

The Bible warns of the severe consequences of slander. In James 3:6, the tongue is described as a fire, capable of setting the course of one's life on fire with its destructive power: "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" . Slander can lead to personal ruin and divine judgment.

Furthermore, slander is listed among the sins that God detests. Proverbs 6:16-19 includes "a false witness who pours out lies" as one of the seven abominations to the Lord. The gravity of slander is underscored by its inclusion in this list, highlighting the need for believers to guard their speech.

Exhortation to Righteous Speech

In contrast to slander, Scripture exhorts believers to speak truthfully and lovingly. Ephesians 4:29 encourages, "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" . The call is to use speech as a tool for edification and grace, reflecting the character of Christ.

The antidote to the venom of slander is a heart transformed by the Holy Spirit, producing speech that is pure, peaceable, and full of mercy (James 3:17). Believers are called to be ambassadors of truth and love, rejecting the poison of slander and embracing the life-giving power of righteous speech.

Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 140:3
They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison is under their lips. Selah.
Nave's Topical Index

Ecclesiastes 10:11
Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Snare of the Fowler
... It is said that where the most beautiful cacti grow, there the most venomous serpents
are ... a man by getting him to commit a sin, he attempts to slander him; he ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the snare of the fowler.htm

Prosperity under Persecution
... in the church"even when it does not take the form of burning or imprisonment, but
of slander, of cruel mockings, jesting, jeering, and venomous spite"in ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/prosperity under persecution.htm

Letter cxxvii. To Principia.
... thou art in the way with him." [3526] Who ever heard a slander of Marcella ... his cudgel,
shatter the teeth of such as carp at him; when such venomous and filthy ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxvii to principia.htm

Thoughts on Talking
... Critics in general are venomous Serpents that delight in hissing, and some of them
who ... defends himself by a mere retort; he has no ears for slander or gossip ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kleiser/talks on talking/thoughts on talking.htm

Fifth Sunday after Trinity Exhortation to the Fruits of Faith.
... By the very fact that they slander, disgrace, persecute and trouble you, they ... They
but prepare your reward and benefit by their wicked, venomous hatred, their ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/fifth sunday after trinity exhortation.htm

Matt. xii. 33
... For He said not, If thou slander, and summon a court of justice, but simply, If ... cause
to sit every day, and picture the river of fire, the venomous worm, the ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xlii matt xii 33.htm

Love's Labours
... What a seething mass of rebellious life, all venomous with hate, is seen in the ... some
who are not half so eager to publish the gospel as to publish slander. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 27 1881/loves labours.htm

Fences and Serpents
... about him, but must make up his mind for backbiting and slander and opposition ... and
death launched their last dart at Him, and, like some venomous insect that ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/fences and serpents.htm

Rom. x. 1
... vanity is the mother of hell, and greatly kindleth that fire, and the venomous worm ...
all men speak well of us." For even they that so speak slander one afterward ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xvii rom x 1.htm

The Poor Man's Friend
... Slander is very busy with the children of God. ... God himself was slandered in paradise
by Satan: let us not expect, therefore, to escape from the venomous tongue ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/the poor mans friend.htm