Slanders
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Definition and Nature:
Slander is the act of making false and damaging statements about someone. In the biblical context, slander is considered a serious sin, as it not only harms the reputation of others but also disrupts the unity and harmony within the community of believers. The Bible frequently addresses the issue of slander, emphasizing the importance of truthfulness and the destructive nature of false accusations.

Biblical References:
The Bible contains numerous references to slander, highlighting its sinful nature and the consequences it brings. In the Old Testament, slander is condemned as a violation of the commandment against bearing false witness. Leviticus 19:16 states, "You must not go about spreading slander among your people. You must not endanger the life of your neighbor. I am the LORD."

The Psalms often speak against slander, portraying it as a weapon used by the wicked. Psalm 101:5 declares, "Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; the one with haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not endure." This verse underscores God's disdain for slander and His commitment to justice.

In the New Testament, slander is listed among the sins that defile a person. Jesus Himself warns against it in Mark 7:21-23 : "For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly. All these evils come from within, and these are what defile a man."

Moral and Spiritual Implications:
Slander is not merely a social or legal issue but a moral and spiritual one. It reflects a heart that is not aligned with God's truth and love. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently admonishes believers to avoid slander and to speak truthfully. In Ephesians 4:31 , he writes, "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice."

James, the brother of Jesus, also addresses the issue of slander in his epistle. James 4:11 advises, "Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it." This passage highlights the communal aspect of slander, as it not only harms individuals but also undermines the law of love that governs Christian relationships.

Consequences and Remedies:
The Bible warns of the consequences of slander, both for the one who slanders and for the community. Proverbs 10:18 states, "The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool." Slander is associated with foolishness and is seen as a manifestation of hidden malice.

To remedy the sin of slander, the Bible calls for repentance and reconciliation. Believers are encouraged to seek forgiveness from those they have wronged and to restore relationships through truth and love. Colossians 3:8-9 instructs, "But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices."

Conclusion:
While the Bible does not provide a specific "conclusion" on slander, it consistently emphasizes the importance of truth, love, and community harmony. Slander is a sin that believers are called to avoid, recognizing its potential to harm individuals and disrupt the body of Christ. Through repentance and adherence to biblical principles, Christians are encouraged to cultivate speech that edifies and reflects the character of Christ.
Greek
988. blasphemia -- slander
... from blasphemos Definition slander NASB Word Usage abusive language (1), blasphemies
(4), blasphemous (2), blasphemy (6), railing (1), slander (3), slanders (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/988.htm - 7k

2636. katalalia -- evil-speaking
... See 2635 (). Word Origin from katalalos Definition evil-speaking NASB Word
Usage slander (1), slanders (1). backbiting, evil speaking. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2636.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew
1848. dophi -- a blemish, fault
... slanders. From an unused root (meaning to push over); a stumbling-block --
slanderest. 1847, 1848. dophi. 1849 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/1848.htm - 5k

3960. lashan -- to use the tongue, slander
... Word Origin denominative verb from lashon Definition to use the tongue, slander
NASB Word Usage slander (1), slanders (1). accuse, slander. ...
/hebrew/3960.htm - 6k

Library

After this He Again Slanders the Ambassador of Christianity...
... Chapter LXXIII. After this he again slanders the ambassador of Christianity?
After this he again slanders the ambassador of Christianity ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lxxiii after this he.htm

As He is Going to Reply to the Slanders of his Opponents He ...
... Chapter I. As he is going to reply to the slanders of his opponents he implores
the aid of Divine grace to teach a prayer to be used by those who undertake to ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter i as he is.htm

The Christians Defamed a Sarcastic Description of Fame; Its ...
... Book I. Chapter VII. "The Christians Defamed A Sarcastic Description of Fame; Its
Deception and Atrocious Slanders of the Christians Lengthily Described. ...
/.../tertullian/ad nationes/chapter vii name christians defamed.htm

Letter cciv. To the Neoc??sareans.
... With me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you or of man's judgment."
[2742] Your ears have been preoccupied by lying slanders, slanders that ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter cciv to the neocaesareans.htm

The Eighth Book
... If you injured any freeborn man with such slanders, you would be accused at law
of malicious abuse; if you so attacked any illustrious or eminent man you would ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the eighth book.htm

Commandment Second. On Avoiding Evil-Speaking, and on Giving Alms ...
... your brother. Thus, then, will you be guilty of the sin of him who slanders.
For slander is evil [155] and an unsteady demon. It ...
/.../commandment second on avoiding evil-speaking.htm

Letter Lxxi. Basil to Gregory.
... Perhaps, in a short time, by God's grace, I shall be able to refute their slanders
by very deed, for it seems likely that I shall have soon to suffer somewhat ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter lxxi basil to gregory.htm

Letter cclxxxix. Without Address. Concerning an Afflicted Woman.
... Yet to such a pitch of impiety and insolence did he come, that he filled the whole
city with slanders, and publicly inveighed against me by affixing to the ...
/.../basil letters and select works/letter cclxxxix without address concerning.htm

Letter ccxxvi. To the Ascetics under Him.
... But I see now that many men have silence as a corroboration of these slanders, and
have formed the idea that my silence was due, not to my longsuffering, but ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter ccxxvi to the ascetics.htm

I Might Well Reply as I have done Even if it were a Question of a ...
... and pretended reconciliation. What advantage is it to you to heap up slanders
against me both among friends and strangers? Is it ...
/.../31 i might well reply.htm

Thesaurus
Slanders (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Slanders (5 Occurrences). ... (See RSV). Psalms
101:5 I will silence whoever secretly slanders his neighbor. ...
/s/slanders.htm - 7k

Slander (34 Occurrences)
... cases of slander more than usually mean are when a wife's chastity is falsely impeached
by her husband (Deuteronomy 22:13-19), and when one slanders a servant ...
/s/slander.htm - 21k

Slanderer (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who slanders; a defamer; a calumniator.
Multi-Version Concordance Slanderer (5 Occurrences). Leviticus ...
/s/slanderer.htm - 7k

Discomfiture (6 Occurrences)
... prowling about them to seize and devour (5:8, 9). A variety of charges were brought
against the Christians, but they were calumnies and slanders, without any ...
/d/discomfiture.htm - 101k

Persecution (22 Occurrences)
... They are the objects of vile slanders (1 Peter 2:12, 15; 1 Peter 3:14-16; 4:4, 15),
as well as of considerable zeal on the part of officials (1 Peter 5:8 ...
/p/persecution.htm - 47k

Whisperer (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) One who whispers. 2. (n.) A tattler; one who tells secrets; a conveyer of
intelligence secretly; hence; a backbiter; one who slanders secretly. ...
/w/whisperer.htm - 7k

Tolerate (8 Occurrences)
... (See RSV NIV). Psalms 101:5 I will silence whoever secretly slanders his neighbor.
I won't tolerate one who is haughty and conceited. (WEB). ...
/t/tolerate.htm - 9k

Revolters (3 Occurrences)
... Revolters (3 Occurrences). Jeremiah 6:28 They are all grievous revolters, walking
with slanders: they are brass and iron; they are all corrupters. ...
/r/revolters.htm - 7k

Rebels (20 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 6:28 They are all grievous rebels, going about with slanders; they are
brass and iron: they all of them deal corruptly. (WEB DBY NIV). ...
/r/rebels.htm - 12k

Corrupters (2 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS YLT). Jeremiah 6:28 They are all grievous revolters, walking with slanders:
they are brass and iron; they are all corrupters. (KJV DBY WBS YLT). ...
/c/corrupters.htm - 7k

Resources
What should we learn from Psalm 119? | GotQuestions.org

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

Summary of the Book of 3 John - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Slanders (5 Occurrences)

Matthew 15:19
For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual sins, thefts, false testimony, and blasphemies.
(See NAS)

Psalms 27:2
When evildoers came at me to eat up my flesh, even my adversaries and my foes, they stumbled and fell.
(See RSV)

Psalms 101:5
I will silence whoever secretly slanders his neighbor. I won't tolerate one who is haughty and conceited.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 6:28
They are all grievous rebels, going about with slanders; they are brass and iron: they all of them deal corruptly.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS RSV)

Jeremiah 9:4
Take heed everyone of his neighbor, and don't trust in any brother; for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbor will go about with slanders.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS)

Subtopics

Slanders

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Slanderously
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