Topical Bible: Slander: They Who Indulge In, not to be Trusted

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Slander, as defined in the Scriptures, is the act of making false and damaging statements about another person. It is a grievous sin that is condemned throughout the Bible, and those who engage in it are portrayed as untrustworthy and deceitful. The Bible provides numerous warnings against slander and highlights the destructive nature of this behavior.

Biblical Warnings Against Slander

The Bible explicitly warns against the act of slander, emphasizing its destructive power and the moral corruption it reveals in those who practice it. In Proverbs 10:18, it is written, "He who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool." This verse underscores the foolishness and moral deficiency of those who engage in slanderous behavior.

Furthermore, the Apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Ephesians, admonishes believers to avoid slander as part of living a life worthy of their calling. Ephesians 4:31 states, "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice." Here, slander is grouped with other vices that are incompatible with a life led by the Spirit.

The Untrustworthiness of Slanderers

The Bible consistently portrays slanderers as individuals who cannot be trusted. Their willingness to spread falsehoods and damage reputations reveals a lack of integrity and a heart that is not aligned with truth. In Psalm 101:5, the psalmist declares, "Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, him I will put to silence; the one with haughty eyes and a proud heart, him I will not endure." This verse highlights the divine disapproval of slanderers and the inherent untrustworthiness of their character.

The Book of Proverbs further illustrates the danger of associating with those who indulge in slander. Proverbs 20:19 warns, "He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a babbler." This admonition serves as a caution against trusting those who engage in slander, as they are likely to betray confidences and spread falsehoods.

Consequences of Slander

The consequences of slander are severe, both for the one who slanders and for those who are affected by it. Slander not only damages the reputation of the victim but also brings judgment upon the slanderer. Jesus Himself warned of the gravity of careless words in Matthew 12:36, saying, "But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken."

Moreover, slander disrupts the unity and harmony within the community of believers. It breeds distrust and division, contrary to the call for unity and love among Christians. James 4:11 admonishes, "Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it." This verse emphasizes the need for believers to refrain from slander to maintain the integrity and unity of the body of Christ.

The Call to Righteous Speech

In contrast to slander, the Bible calls believers to speak truthfully and lovingly. Colossians 4:6 instructs, "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." This call to righteous speech reflects the transformation that should occur in the life of a believer, marked by truth, love, and integrity.

Ultimately, those who indulge in slander are not to be trusted, as their actions reveal a heart that is not aligned with the truth of God's Word. The Bible's teachings on slander serve as a reminder of the importance of guarding one's speech and maintaining a character that reflects the holiness and righteousness of God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 9:4
Take you heed every one of his neighbor, and trust you not in any brother: for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbor will walk with slanders.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

From the Seventh to the End of the Tenth Commandment
... Children who indulge in this trifling thievery seldom correct the ... others think less
of him than they did before. ... to injure his character, your sin is slander. ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 34 from the seventh.htm

The Betrayal
... all the pains of poverty and the reproach of slander. ... He does not indulge in the
lusts of the flesh or ... the disciples suspected him of hypocrisy; they said at ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/the betrayal.htm

Righteous Hatred
... It will slander you if you have none; give it at ... Now, while you indulge in sin, you
will not feel ... had better come into the coffee-room." They went accordingly ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/righteous hatred.htm

Do You Know Him?
... their sports around the fire-side, and you indulge as they ... he charms all, so that
even malice and slander must be ... if you seek Christ and find him, they will be ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/do you know him.htm

Concerning Salutations and Recreations, &C.
... call God to witness by an oath, no not in judgment ... speak, that he many become worthy
to be trusted even without ... The duty of good men requires that they show to ...
/.../proposition xv concerning salutations and.htm

Seasonable Counsel: Or, Advice to Sufferers.
... They are the ministers of God, revengers, to execute wrath, the wrath ... limited to
things that are good: he is not licensed thereby to indulge the flesh. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/seasonable counsel or advice to.htm

Faustus States his Objections to the Morality of the Law and the ...
... To sin is to indulge this pleasure instead of restraining ... understanding; but here,
in his love of slander, he has ... they should not tempt God when they have any ...
/.../faustus states his objections to.htm

part ii
... of walking in the fresh air, but they do not even think of ... breath of life); and,
living in the fresh air, they allow themselves to indulge in impure ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... They roar, and roaring they seek to recover their ... of comfort which enabled him to
indulge in religious ... He now became alarmed lest he had not been effectually ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm

Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon:
... that I should so indulge the flesh, as to use that ... Thus it happened to Israel, for
their sin; they were sent ... might have trod with delight, had it not been for ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/mr bunyans last sermon .htm