Definition and Nature:
Slandering refers to the act of making false and damaging statements about someone. It is a form of bearing false witness and is considered a serious sin in the Bible. Slander can destroy reputations, sow discord, and cause significant harm to individuals and communities.

Biblical References:
The Bible addresses the issue of slander in various passages, emphasizing its destructive nature and the moral obligation to avoid it. In the Old Testament, the Ninth Commandment explicitly warns against bearing false witness: "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (Exodus 20:16). This commandment underscores the importance of truthfulness and integrity in speech.

Proverbs frequently warns against the dangers of slander. Proverbs 10:18 states, "The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool." This verse highlights the foolishness and malice inherent in slanderous behavior. Similarly, Proverbs 16:28 notes, "A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip separates close friends," illustrating how slander can fracture relationships and communities.

In the New Testament, slander is listed among the sins that defile a person. Jesus teaches in Matthew 15:19, "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander." This passage indicates that slander originates from a corrupt heart and is akin to other grievous sins.

The Apostle Paul also addresses slander in his epistles. In Ephesians 4:31, he exhorts believers to "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice." Paul encourages Christians to cultivate a spirit of kindness and forgiveness, contrasting the destructive nature of slander with the virtues of love and unity.

Moral and Spiritual Implications:
Slandering is not merely a social faux pas but a violation of God's commandments. It reflects a heart that is not aligned with the love and truth that God desires for His people. Slander can lead to broken relationships, mistrust, and division within the body of Christ. It is a tool of the enemy, used to sow discord and hinder the work of the Gospel.

The Bible calls believers to a higher standard of speech. James 4:11 warns, "Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it." This admonition reminds Christians that slander is not only an offense against individuals but also against God's law of love.

Practical Considerations:
To avoid the sin of slander, believers are encouraged to practice self-control and discernment in their speech. James 1:19 advises, "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger." By listening more and speaking less, Christians can prevent the spread of falsehoods and maintain harmony within their communities.

Furthermore, believers are called to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) and to use their words to build up rather than tear down (Ephesians 4:29). By aligning their speech with the principles of Scripture, Christians can reflect the character of Christ and promote peace and unity in their relationships.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Slander.5587. psithurismos -- a whispering
... of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: psithurismos Phonetic Spelling:
(psith-oo-ris-mos') Short Definition: a whispering, secret slandering Definition: ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5587.htm - 7k

Slandering Wesley in the Pulpit
... Chapter 10. Retirement in Paddington; Wesley Slandered; Premonitions; A Dream
Slandering Wesley in the Pulpit. I had given no notice ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/slandering wesley in the pulpit.htm

The Ninth Commandment
... [1] Slandering our neighbour. ... Slandering is to report things of others unjustly.'
They laid to my charge things that I knew not.' Psalm 35:11. ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 9 the ninth commandment.htm

Death in Life
... Among poor women, as well as among rich ones, as they grow older, how much gossiping,
tale-bearing, slandering, there is, and that too among people who call ...
/.../kingsley/sermons for the times/sermon xvii death in life.htm

Concerning Persecution
... They are persecuting. (ii) Slandering. So ... falsely'. Slandering is tongue
persecution. Thus Saint Paul was slandered in his doctrine. ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/21 concerning persecution.htm

Salvation
... us into that state of eternal death in which he lives himself; Satan, the loveless
one, the self-willed one, the accuser, the slanderer, slandering God to us ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/sermons for the times/sermon ii salvation.htm

Thou Shalt not Bear False Witness against Thy Neighbor.
... Here belongs particularly the detestable, shameful vice of speaking behind a person's
back and slandering, to which the devil spurs us on and of which there ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/luther/the large catechism/thou shalt not bear false.htm

The Ten Commandments
... We must fear and love God, so that we will not deceive by lying, betraying, slandering
or ruining our neighbor's reputation, but will defend him, say good ...
/.../luther/the small catechism of martin luther/i the ten commandments.htm

The Tongue.
... how can we speak of the Gospel, when the first principles of morality are forgotten?
when Christians are excusing themselves, and slandering one another? ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/robertson/sermons preached at brighton/i the tongue.htm

The Folly of Slander. Part 2.
... that "He who uttereth slander is a fool.". 1. Slandering is foolish, as sinful
and wicked. All sin is foolish upon many accounts; as ...
/.../barrow/sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/the folly of slander part 2.htm

Various Exhortations.
... Teach the widows to be discreet as respects the faith of the Lord, praying continually
[363] for all, being far from all slandering, evil-speaking, false ...
/.../the epistle of polycarp to the philippians/chapter iv various exhortations.htm

Slandering (2 Occurrences)
... & vb. n.) of Slander. Multi-Version Concordance Slandering (2 Occurrences). James
2:7 Don't they blaspheme the honorable name by which you are called? (See NIV) ...
/s/slandering.htm - 7k

Backbite
... In Psalm 15:3, the rendering of a word which means to run about tattling, calumniating;
in Proverbs 25:23, secret talebearing or slandering; in Romans 1:30 and ...
/b/backbite.htm - 8k

Slandereth (2 Occurrences)

/s/slandereth.htm - 7k

Slanderous (4 Occurrences)

/s/slanderous.htm - 7k

What does the Bible say about slander? | GotQuestions.org

Why is "You shall not give false testimony" in the Ten Commandments? | GotQuestions.org

How does oppressing the poor show contempt for their Maker (Proverbs 14:31)? | GotQuestions.org

Slandering: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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