Topical Bible: Slander: The Wicked Love

◄ Slander: The Wicked Love ►

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Slander, a grievous sin condemned throughout Scripture, is the act of making false and damaging statements about another person. It is a manifestation of malice and deceit, often driven by envy, hatred, or a desire to harm. The Bible consistently warns against slander, highlighting its destructive nature and the wickedness of those who engage in it.

Biblical Condemnation of Slander

The Bible explicitly condemns slander as a violation of God's commandments. In the Ten Commandments, God instructs, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (Exodus 20:16). This commandment underscores the importance of truthfulness and integrity in our speech. Slander, as a form of false witness, is a direct transgression of this divine law.

The Psalms frequently address the issue of slander, portraying it as a tool of the wicked. Psalm 101:5 states, "Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; the one with haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not endure" . Here, slander is associated with pride and arrogance, characteristics that are detestable to God.

The Nature of Slander

Slander is often rooted in a heart that harbors evil intentions. Jesus teaches that "the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these things defile a man" (Matthew 15:18). Slanderous speech reveals a corrupt heart, one that is not aligned with the righteousness that God desires.

Proverbs 10:18 warns, "He who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool" . This proverb highlights the foolishness of slander, as it is an expression of concealed hatred. The slanderer, in spreading falsehoods, not only harms others but also reveals their own lack of wisdom and understanding.

The Wicked Love of Slander

The wicked are often depicted as those who delight in slander. In Psalm 52:2-4, David describes the wicked man: "Your tongue devises destruction like a sharpened razor, O worker of deceit. You love evil more than good, falsehood more than speaking truth. You love every word that devours, O deceitful tongue" . This passage illustrates the perverse love the wicked have for slander, as they prefer lies and destruction over truth and goodness.

The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, lists slander among the sins that characterize those who are unrighteous. In Romans 1:29-30, he writes, "They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful" . Slander is thus grouped with other grave sins, indicating its severity and the corrupt nature of those who practice it.

The Consequences of Slander

The Bible warns of the dire consequences that await those who engage in slander. In James 4:11-12, believers are admonished, "Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?" . Slander not only harms relationships but also places the slanderer in a position of judgment that belongs to God alone.

Furthermore, slander disrupts the unity and peace within the body of Christ. In Ephesians 4:31, Paul exhorts the church, "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice" . The presence of slander within the community of believers is a threat to the harmony and love that should characterize the church.

The Call to Righteous Speech

Believers are called to a higher standard of speech, one that reflects the character of Christ. Colossians 3:8 instructs, "But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth" . The transformation of the believer's heart should be evident in their words, as they seek to edify and build up others rather than tear them down.

In contrast to the wicked love of slander, Christians are encouraged to speak truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) and to let their conversation be "always full of grace, seasoned with salt" (Colossians 4:6). By doing so, they reflect the love and truth of Christ, standing as a testimony against the destructive power of slander.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 52:4
You love all devouring words, O you deceitful tongue.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Folly of Slander. Part 2.
... of the wise man, that "He who uttereth slander is a ... 1. Slandering is foolish, as
sinful and wicked. ... to disoblige our best Friend, to forfeit His love and favour ...
/.../barrow/sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/the folly of slander part 2.htm

The Folly of Slander. Part 1.
... piety of Job, not to a conscientious love and fear ... commonly doth arise from the same
wicked principles, at ... as the wilful devising and conveying slander: so it ...
/.../barrow/sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/the folly of slander part.htm

That Love not Only Makes Sons Out of Servants, but Also Bestows ...
... pray for them that persecute you and slander you." [1706 ... God, and by doing good for
the love of goodness ... birth of God preserves him, and the wicked one toucheth ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter ix that love not.htm

The Security of the Church
... The wicked when they can do nothing else against the ... the church, neither by persecution,
nor slander, nor heresy ... another, and not allow those who love the same ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the security of the church.htm

The Ninth Commandment
... Love is that which cements Christians together; it is the ... God, if he has preserved
you from slander and false ... who muzzles the mouths of the wicked, and keeps ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 9 the ninth commandment.htm

Commandment Eighth. We Ought to Shun that which is Evil, and do ...
... from the remembrance of wrong, and from all slander. ... that these are really wicked?"
"Exceedingly wicked in the ... then fear of the Lord, love, concord, words of ...
/.../pastor/the pastor books first second third/commandment eighth we ought to.htm

Psalm CIX.
... misery, which is evil for evil: but from love of justice ... blotted out, so the imitation
of the wicked causeth men ... This is the work of them that slander me before ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cix.htm

That Solitary or Hermit's Life Passes Common and Mixed Life. And ...
... worse that cease not to reprove and slander solitary life ... they cease not to give
to the love of Christ. ... because their minds are full far from wicked conversation ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter xiii that solitary or.htm

"Who Will Rise up with Me against the Wicked?"
... of some to "rise up against the wicked," and join ... it concerns all that fear God,
that love mankind, and ... is another mistake, if not wilful slander, for which ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 52 who will rise.htm

But Now, Thou Mayst Ask Me and Say, "Thou Speakest So Much of Love ...
... For a wicked man might do as much penance in body ... For many love GOD while they are
at ease; and in ... scarcely may any man comfort them: and so slander they GOD ...
/.../the form of perfect living and other prose treatises/chapter x but now thou.htm