Topical Bible: Slander: Punishment For

◄ Slander: Punishment For ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Slander, defined as the act of making false and damaging statements about someone, is a sin that is addressed multiple times throughout the Bible. The Scriptures provide clear guidance on the moral and spiritual consequences of slander, emphasizing its destructive nature and the divine judgment it incurs.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, slander is condemned as a violation of God's law. 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." This command underscores the seriousness with which God views slander, associating it with endangering others and disrupting community harmony.

The book of Proverbs frequently addresses the consequences of slander. 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, highlighting its moral depravity. Proverbs 16:28 further illustrates the divisive nature of slander: "A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip separates close friends."

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament continues to address the sin of slander, emphasizing its incompatibility with Christian living. In Ephesians 4:31 , the Apostle Paul instructs believers, "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice." This directive places slander alongside other destructive behaviors that Christians are called to abandon.

James 4:11 provides a stern warning against slander within the Christian community: "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 relational damage caused by slander and its contradiction to the law of love that governs Christian conduct.

Divine Judgment and Consequences

The Bible makes it clear that slander is not only a sin against individuals but also an offense against God, warranting divine judgment. Psalm 101:5 declares, "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 reflects God's active opposition to slanderers, promising that they will face His judgment.

In the eschatological context, Revelation 21:8 lists slanderers among those who will face eternal punishment: "But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death." Slander, as a form of lying, is included in this grave list, underscoring its severity in the eyes of God.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

The biblical teachings on slander emphasize the importance of truthfulness, integrity, and love in human relationships. Slander not only harms individuals but also disrupts the unity and peace of the community. The punishment for slander, as outlined in Scripture, serves as a sobering reminder of the need for believers to guard their tongues and cultivate a spirit of love and truth.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 19:16-21
If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 101:5
Whoever privately slanders his neighbor, him will I cut off: him that has an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Folly of Slander. Part 2.
... If slander perhaps here may evade detection, or escape deserved punishment, yet
infallibly hereafter, at the dreadful day, it shall be disclosed, irreversibly ...
/.../barrow/sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/the folly of slander part 2.htm

The Folly of Slander. Part 1.
... not ever all the malice of the worst slander, but it worketh often the effects thereof;
and therefore doth incur its guilt, and its punishment; especially it ...
/.../barrow/sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/the folly of slander part.htm

John Chapter viii. 48-59
... returned not cursing with cursing, although He met not slander with slander, yet
was ... a clean [chaste] fear: there is the fear of suffering punishment, there is ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xliii john chapter viii.htm

Ninth Commandment
... it with heavy punishment. Unless promptly checked, it would shake the very foundations
of justice. Lying"uttering or acting falsehood"and slander"the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/ninth commandment.htm

Commandment Second. On Avoiding Evil-Speaking, and on Giving Alms ...
... For slander is evil [155] and an unsteady demon. ... who receive will not be condemned,
[156] but they who receive on false pretences will suffer punishment. ...
/.../commandment second on avoiding evil-speaking.htm

Satan's Devices
... he had now suffered enough; and that, therefore, lest he should be tempted to say
with Cain, "My punishment is greater ... Why else did he slander God in paradise? ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/satans devices.htm

Letter cciv. To the Neoc??sareans.
... be able to appease my God, and to escape the punishment threatened against ... might
expect from any street vagabond; their tongues are whetted for any slander. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter cciv to the neocaesareans.htm

Allegation 2 "We Teach that God Ordained Men to Hell-Fire, and ...
... them." This is, indeed, a serious allegation, and contains a great slander, if it ...
He, who makes hell-fire the punishment of sin, who ordains that the first man ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 3/allegation 2 we teach that.htm

Thou Shalt not Bear False Witness against Thy Neighbor.
... on His own account instituted that office; for He has reserved punishment for His ...
do not too readily spread evil concerning your neighbor and slander him to ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/luther/the large catechism/thou shalt not bear false.htm

The Epistle of Adrian, Decreeing that we Should not be Punished ...
... in regard to his criminality, [1057] and see to it that you inflict punishment."
[1058]. ... in that here only an accusation made with the purpose of slander is to ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter ix the epistle of adrian.htm