Topical Bible: Slander: Includes: Repeating Matters

◄ Slander: Includes: Repeating Matters ►

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Definition and Nature of Slander

Slander, in biblical terms, refers to the act of making false and damaging statements about someone. It is a form of bearing false witness, which is explicitly condemned in the Scriptures. Slander is not merely a social faux pas but a serious moral failing that disrupts community harmony and violates God's commandments.

Biblical Condemnation of Slander

The Bible consistently condemns slander as a sin that stems from a corrupt heart. In the Old Testament, the book of Leviticus provides a clear directive: "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 gravity of slander as a threat to communal integrity and personal safety.

The Psalms and Proverbs frequently address the destructive nature of slander. 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" . This verse highlights God's intolerance for slander and the pride that often accompanies it.

Proverbs 10:18 warns, "The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool" . Here, slander is linked to foolishness and deceit, revealing the moral and intellectual deficiency of those who engage in it.

Repeating Matters and Gossip

Slander often involves the repetition of matters, which can escalate into gossip. Proverbs 11:13 notes, "A gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence" . The act of repeating matters, especially those that are unverified or intended to harm, is akin to slander and is equally condemned.

Proverbs 17:9 further advises, "Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but he who brings it up separates friends" . This verse emphasizes the importance of discretion and the potential for repeated matters to cause division and strife.

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament continues the condemnation of slander, urging believers to avoid such behavior. In Ephesians 4:31, Paul instructs, "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice" . This exhortation places slander among other destructive behaviors that Christians are to abandon.

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 passage highlights the communal aspect of slander, where speaking ill of a fellow believer is tantamount to undermining the law of love that governs Christian conduct.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

Slander is not only a breach of social ethics but also a spiritual failing. It reflects a heart that is not aligned with the love and truth of God. Jesus teaches in Matthew 15:19, "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander" . This list places slander alongside other grave sins, indicating its serious nature.

Believers are called to a higher standard, one that reflects the character of Christ. Colossians 3:8 urges, "But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth" . The call to put aside slander is part of the broader call to live a life worthy of the gospel.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not provide a comprehensive list of every possible sin, the consistent message is clear: slander, including the repetition of harmful matters, is a serious offense against God and neighbor. It is a behavior that believers are to actively avoid, seeking instead to promote truth, love, and unity within the community of faith.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 17:9
He that covers a transgression seeks love; but he that repeats a matter separates very friends.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Ninth Tractate. Against those that Affirm the Creator of the ...
... still be the slave of impulse, repeating the word ... think of the Intellectual Sphere
which includes within itself ... that other world; not to slander, as negligent ...
/.../plotinus/the six enneads/ninth tractate against those that.htm

The Epistle of St. James
... consideration in the presence of men, or, in matters of importance ... in 1 Peter 2:12),
but it includes more. ... defame one another is the sin of slander denounced in ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/the epistle of st james.htm

Abraham, his Trial in Egypt; his Humility
... Edification, includes removal of unsound parts, [520]382 ... proceedings, [777]93; men
led to do this by covetousness, [778]ib.; the conqueror in such matters is he ...
/.../abraham his trial in egypt.htm