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Sin of Slander
Sin of Slander
In the fifteenth Psalm, David considered two questions essential to the securing favor of Jehovah, saying “who shall sojourn in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill?”
In this text, David deals with negative and positive conduct. In the second qualification, David turns attention toward one’s dealings with his fellow man and identifies conduct all too often seen in society: “He that slandereth not with his tongue, Nor doeth evil to his friend, Nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor.”
Of these actions our consideration in on the term “slander,” which is, “an accusation maliciously uttered with the purpose or effect of damaging the reputation of another” (ISBE). Solomon stated, “He that hideth hatred is of lying lips; And he that uttereth a slander is a fool” (Proverbs 10:18).
Many have suffered at the mouth of a slanderer. Jesus said, “But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the marketplaces, who call unto their fellows and say, We piped unto you, and ye did not dance; we wailed, and ye did not mourn. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a demon. The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold, a gluttonous man and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!” (Matthew 11:18-19).
When opponents of truth look for a reason to refuse the message, they attack the messenger. John the baptizer had a limited diet, i.e., locusts and wild honey. Because John shunned what might be considered a normal way of life, his enemies “say he hath a demon,” but the Lord’s enemies used just the opposite approach, saying, that Jesus “came eating and drinking,” and they accused him of being a gluttonous man and a winebibber.
No matter what you may say or do to help individuals escape the captivity of error, there are those who will not heed the message of truth.
The enemies of the Lord were not satisfied with slanderous accusations against the Lord when He was alive, but also after his death, said, “we remember that that deceiver said while he was yet alive, After three days I rise again” (Matthew 27:63).
For centuries man has attempted to sway a decision by slander. Understand that if you seek to dwell in Jehovah’s favor, you will recognize the power of the tongue, and heed the admonition of the Apostle Paul, who said, “speak evil of no man” (Titus 3:2).
Remember the words of the Apostle Paul, who said, “Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for edifying as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear” (Ephesians 4:29). ret
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