Slander

Something that is done quite often that shouldn't be done at all. The Bible has much to say about this word. First in Psalm 101:5 KJV "Who so privily slandereth his neighbor, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer. Mine eyes shall be on the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me. He that worketh deciet shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight."

"A froward heart, one that delights to be cross and perverse, is not fit for society, the bond of which is Christian love. Nor will he countenance slanderers, those who take pleasure in wounding their neighbors reputation." -Matthew Henry's commentary, an excerpt on Psalm 101.

That whole chapter is phenomenal. Please read it! This is David declaring how he will regulate his household. This is a great guide for us to use in our own households. Obviously we all know perfection will never be obtained but it doesn't hurt to strive towards it. We have had to end relationships in the past for this reason. It's hard but God is with us and we are better off.

The slander that one generates comes from the most powerful instrument in our bodeis-our tongue. Which the Bible has much to say on this subject as well. For instance James 3:5-6 KJV "Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a little fire Kindleth. And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members..." and v. 8 "But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil; full of deadly poison."

Some days I feel like adults are acting as children. I wish we as Christians would take Proverbs 21:23 KJV "Whoso Keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles." and James 1:19 KJV "Wherefore, me beloved brothern, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:" to heart. If we did, so much slander, evil, deceit and wrong doings would be avoided. Don't slander one another. Even if some of what you are saying is true, as time goes the truth becomes embellished and therefore, lies are now being created. A rumor may be the only thing being spread and not the truth. If someone has done something against you, go to them, reconcile then let God take care of the rest.

Romans 12:19 KJV "...vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."

Proverbs 10:18-19 KJV "He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool. In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise."

Those who listen to the slander and not seek out and ask questions to the one being slandered is no better than those doing the slander. There are two sides to every story. I charge you, if you are hearing slander, turn from it or stop it. "Hypocrisy is wickedness, which God will judge." -Matthew Henry

I want to add this, we have all done it. Some on purpose and some accidentally by getting caught up in conversation. Not meaning for it to come out the way it did or it being misinterpreted. I've had the latter happen to me. Being misinterpreted is not a fun thing. This is why it is important to ask questions and get clarification before assumptions are made. Some people hear things how they want to hear it and there is nothing you can do about it. That is why it's important to bite our tongues, ask for forgiveness and show grace! I say this all the time, we are human. We are not God nor are we perfect. 

I went to Pensacola Christian College and one of the many things Pastor Schettler use to say was, "stay in your red wagon". Don't insert yourself into others issues. If you didn't hear both sides of a story, you should not be taking the one side you are hearing. This can lead to ruined relationships. Facts are important and so is hearing the whole story.

*How cruel it is to ruin ones reputation based on lies or believing a one sided story.

~JuneAnn Miller