Topical Bible: Slander: Often Arises from Hatred

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Slander, a grievous sin in the biblical context, is the act of making false and damaging statements about someone. It is frequently associated with malice and hatred, reflecting a heart that is not aligned with the love and truth of God. The Bible provides numerous insights into the nature of slander and its roots in hatred, warning believers of its destructive power and urging them to pursue righteousness and love.

Biblical Understanding of Slander

The Bible consistently condemns slander as a violation of God's commandments. In the Old Testament, slander is explicitly prohibited in the Mosaic Law: "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 seriousness with which God views slander, linking it to the preservation of life and community harmony.

The Psalms and Proverbs frequently address the issue of slander, often associating it with wickedness and deceit. 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 tolerate" . This verse highlights God's intolerance for slander and the prideful heart from which it often springs.

Slander and Hatred

Slander is often rooted in hatred, a destructive emotion that stands in stark contrast to the love commanded by God. Proverbs 10:18 declares, "The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool" . This proverb links slander directly to concealed hatred, suggesting that those who engage in slander are acting out of a heart filled with animosity.

The New Testament further emphasizes the connection between slander and hatred. In his epistle, James warns against the destructive power of the tongue, stating, "With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be!" (James 3:9-10). This passage highlights the inconsistency of praising God while simultaneously speaking ill of others, a behavior often driven by underlying hatred.

The Call to Love and Truth

In contrast to slander and hatred, the Bible calls believers to a life of love and truth. Jesus taught, "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44). This radical command challenges believers to respond to hatred not with slander, but with love and prayer, reflecting the character of Christ.

The Apostle Paul also exhorts Christians to put away slander and embrace kindness and forgiveness: "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you" (Ephesians 4:31-32). This passage underscores the transformative power of the Gospel, which enables believers to overcome hatred and slander through the love and forgiveness found in Christ.

Guarding Against Slander

Believers are called to guard their hearts and tongues against the sin of slander. The Apostle Peter advises, "Therefore rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind" (1 Peter 2:1). This exhortation encourages Christians to actively reject slander and its root causes, striving instead to cultivate a heart of love and integrity.

In summary, slander is a sin that often arises from hatred, a condition of the heart that is contrary to the teachings of Scripture. The Bible calls believers to reject slander and embrace a life characterized by love, truth, and forgiveness, reflecting the nature of God and the transformative power of the Gospel.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 41:7
All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 109:3
They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Second Sunday after Trinity Exhortation to Brotherly Love.
... how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as ... 7. But whence arises
the world's hatred ... it does its worst it may perhaps falsely slander you, or ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/second sunday after trinity exhortation.htm

Wagner -- I am a Voice
... fathers, we have made use of it, for the most part, to extend slander more widely ...
But this echo is often hostile ... It arises from wrath and is increased by hatred ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume 10/wagner i am a.htm

Persecution Every Christian's Lot
... but to speak evil of and slander the disciples ... That which you call prudence, is often,
only cowardice ... the word with joy; but, when persecution arises because of ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/persecution every christians lot.htm

The Third Book
... are duly performed proves that if occasion arises he will ... How often do you find a
man who does not ... Who is there that permits himself no slander whatever, that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the third book.htm

The Sixth Commandment
... We injure others in their name, when we calumniate and slander them ... Anger boils in
the veins, and often produces murder ... This discontent arises " (1) From pride ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 6 the sixth commandment.htm

Treatise on the Priesthood. Book iii.
... with all kinds of evils, and are often compelled to ... he is able to escape the fire
which arises from this ... it before others, and even if they slander him, can ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/treatise on the priesthood book 3.htm

V. ...
... They are, as we have often said, that Christ, through ... the Gentiles, so that they,
if they slander you as ... come and would purify us, and there arises a conflict. ...
/.../the epistles of st peter and st jude preached and explained/chapter ii v .htm

Matt. v. 1, 2
... other men, though they fall never so often, may possibly ... For, "What though the slander
pain you," saith He; "yet ... then we know the gain that arises from this ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xv matt v 1.htm

The Epistle of St. James
... by our verdicts (which would be a slander on it ... part of the mischiefs that vex the
world arises from words. ... eg in Sirach xxiv.30 f.) wisdom compared often to a ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/the epistle of st james.htm

The Fourth Book
... How often do you find a rich man's neighbor ... the customary vices, with litigation,
slander and rapine ... provinces from which the complaint arises." The repetition ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the fourth book.htm