Topical Bible: Slander: should be Discountenanced With Anger

◄ Slander: should be Discountenanced With Anger ►

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Slander, defined as the act of making false and damaging statements about someone, is a grievous sin that is condemned throughout the Scriptures. It is a violation of the commandment against bearing false witness (Exodus 20:16) and is seen as a destructive force within communities and relationships. The Bible provides clear guidance on how believers should respond to slander, emphasizing that it should be met with righteous indignation and a firm stance against its presence.

The book of Proverbs offers wisdom on the nature and consequences of slander. Proverbs 10:18 states, "He who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool." This verse highlights the foolishness and malice inherent in slanderous behavior. The righteous are called to reject such actions and to respond with discernment and anger towards the sin, not the sinner, seeking to correct and restore rather than to retaliate.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul addresses the issue of slander in his letters to the early churches. In Ephesians 4:31, he exhorts believers, "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice." Here, slander is listed among other destructive behaviors that must be eradicated from the Christian community. The call to "get rid of" these behaviors implies an active and decisive rejection, underscoring the need for a strong response to slander.

The Psalms also reflect the psalmist's struggle with slander and his appeal to God for justice. In Psalm 31:13, David laments, "For I hear the slander of many; there is terror on every side; they conspire against me and plot to take my life." Despite the distress caused by slander, David's response is to seek refuge in the Lord, demonstrating a righteous anger that drives him to rely on God's justice rather than seeking personal vengeance.

Jesus Himself addressed the issue of slander in His teachings. In Matthew 15:19, He identifies slander as one of the evils that come from the heart, equating it with other serious sins such as murder and adultery. This underscores the gravity of slander and the necessity for believers to respond with a holy anger that seeks to uphold truth and integrity.

The Apostle James provides further insight into the destructive power of the tongue, warning in James 3:6, "The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell." This vivid imagery calls for a vigilant and proactive stance against slander, recognizing its potential to cause widespread harm.

In summary, the biblical response to slander is one of righteous anger and decisive action. Believers are called to stand against slander, recognizing it as a sin that undermines the fabric of Christian fellowship and witness. By addressing slander with a spirit of truth and love, Christians can work to restore relationships and uphold the integrity of the body of Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 25:23
The north wind drives away rain: so does an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

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buy should be as ... Now if these things were discountenanced by Christians, as ...
/.../proposition xv concerning salutations and.htm

A Holy Life the Beauty of Christianity: Or, an Exhortation to ...
... And, how some of the godly should be so indulged as to be saved ... denounced God's
judgments against them, 'Because we are innocent, surely his anger shall turn ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a holy life the beauty.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... working with his father as a carpenter, could have conceived that he was the
manifestation of the Deity in human form, before whom every knee should bow, and ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm