Topical Bible: Slander: Saints: Blessed in Enduring

◄ Slander: Saints: Blessed in Enduring ►

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Slander, defined as the false and malicious spoken statement damaging to a person's reputation, is a sin that the Bible addresses with seriousness. Throughout Scripture, the saints—those set apart by God—are often depicted as targets of slander. However, they are also portrayed as blessed when they endure such trials with faith and perseverance.

Biblical Context of Slander

The Bible frequently warns against the sin of slander. In the Old Testament, slander is condemned as a destructive force within the community of God's people. Leviticus 19:16 commands, "You must not go about spreading slander among your people." The wisdom literature, particularly the Psalms and Proverbs, also speaks against slander, highlighting its divisive and harmful nature. Proverbs 10:18 states, "The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool."

Saints Enduring Slander

The saints, as followers of Christ, are not exempt from being slandered. In fact, Jesus Himself warned His disciples that they would face persecution and false accusations for His name's sake. In Matthew 5:11-12 , Jesus declares, "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you."

The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often addresses the issue of slander against believers. In 1 Corinthians 4:12-13 , Paul writes, "When we are slandered, we answer gently. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world." Here, Paul exemplifies the response of the saints to slander—gentleness and perseverance, reflecting the character of Christ.

Blessings in Enduring Slander

The endurance of slander is not without its blessings. The New Testament emphasizes that enduring slander for the sake of Christ is a mark of true discipleship and a cause for rejoicing. James 1:12 states, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him."

Peter also encourages believers to endure slander with a clear conscience, knowing that their righteous conduct will ultimately silence their accusers. In 1 Peter 3:16 , he writes, "Keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ."

Examples of Saints Enduring Slander

Throughout the Bible, there are numerous examples of saints who endured slander and were blessed for their faithfulness. Joseph, falsely accused by Potiphar's wife, remained steadfast and was eventually elevated to a position of great authority in Egypt (Genesis 39-41). David, pursued and slandered by King Saul, continued to trust in God's deliverance and was ultimately established as king over Israel (1 Samuel 24).

In the New Testament, Stephen, the first Christian martyr, faced false accusations before the Sanhedrin. His unwavering testimony and vision of Christ standing at the right hand of God (Acts 7:55-56) exemplify the blessing of divine approval and eternal reward for those who endure slander for the sake of the Gospel.

Conclusion

The biblical narrative consistently affirms that while slander is a painful and unjust experience, the saints are called to endure it with grace and faith. In doing so, they are assured of God's blessing and the promise of eternal reward.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 5:11
Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Heavenly Rest
... of rest in fellowship with the saints; but ah ... Yes, in the midst of calumny, reproach,
slander and contempt ... again, the Christian sometimes has the blessed rest of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/heavenly rest.htm

Vanity of Human Glory.
... in which we may follow these blessed Saints, whose lives ... henceforth all generations
shall call her blessed[7]." But ... the words of the world, slander the Church ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon xii vanity of human.htm

Christian Sympathy
... appeal to heaven, he shakes off the slander into the ... we have heard others say, "What
a blessed unity there ... associating with the poorest of God's saints as with ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/christian sympathy.htm

On Genesis.
... 1180] according to the word of the blessed Paul. ... object of envy" or "emulation" to
the saints, who aspire ... be spoiled the ground of their slander, and assailed ...
/.../hippolytus/the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/on genesis.htm

Sermon for St. Stephen's Day
... for the sake of goodness, all the rebuke, slander, and shame ... human) nature of Christ,
and after that the blessed Mother of Christ, and the saints of all ...
/.../xxv sermon for st stephens.htm

On the Feast of St Stephen or of St Lawrence
... for the sake of goodness, all the rebuke, slander and shame that ... Human) Nature of
Christ, and after that the blessed Mother of Christ, and the Saints of all ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon iv on the feast.htm

The Era of Persecution
... provided a ready acceptance for the popular slander that in ... and the fury of the heathen
against the saints, and the sufferings of the blessed witnesses, we ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/iii the era of persecution.htm

Love's Labours
... You must have fervent charity towards the saints, but you ... so eager to publish the
gospel as to publish slander. ... I cannot stand it." Blessed be God, the love ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 27 1881/loves labours.htm

Matt. v. 1, 2
... of this temper were the souls of the saints: such was ... For, "What though the slander
pain you," saith He; "yet ... And this the blessed Job said; "But I wept for ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xv matt v 1.htm

All Joy in all Trials
... a man to bear ill-treatment, slander, and injury ... Blessed is that holy charity which
hopeth all things ... Now, trial works in the saints that spiritual hardihood ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 29 1883/all joy in all trials.htm