Slander is widespread in Christian circles. Many have not understood this as sin. Now what is slander. Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary defines slander (verb) as: “to make a false spoken statement about somebody intended to damage the good opinion that people have of them.” Many Christians feel happy and derive a sense of satisfaction when they speak ill of someone else others hold in high regard. This attitude is sin.
Isn’t it because we have a feel that we are better than somebody else that we try to slander them? Is it fair? What would you feel if you heard others slander you to someone else? The Bible says, slander no one (Titus 3:2, James 4:11). Jesus taught that slander comes from within our hearts and that is evil (Matthew 15:19, Mark 7:22, 23). Paul advices us to get rid of all slander (Ephesians 4:31, Colossians 3:8). He further warns that slanderers will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:10).
Even when God gave laws to the people through Moses some 3500 years ago, He included a warning about slander: “Do not go about spreading slander among your people” (Leviticus 19:16 NIV). And Solomon in his wisdom said, “whoever spreads slander is a fool” (Proverbs 10:18 NIV).
So dear child of God, if you’re someone who is in the habit of slandering others, check yourself. Put a gatekeeper in front of your mouth (Psalm 141:3). In many Christian circles, the main hobby after a Church service or meeting is to gather together in small groups and slander those in leadership. Most of us are guilty of this. But most of us participate in this because we do not consider slander as sin. It is! Most of us also rejoice when we sling mud onto someone’s good reputation. Isn’t that delighting in evil? Love does not do that, instead it rejoices with the truth (1 Corinthians 13:6).
Shall we learn to say no to slander from now on. Or how long are we going to wait before we take these words of Jesus seriously: “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgement for every careless word they have spoken” (Matthew 12:36)? Remember, we can never take back the words that we have spoken. So try to make every effort not to spoil the good reputation of others by our careless words. Make a firm decision to avoid participating in the talks that slander others.
Think about this too. In Psalm 15, a man who casts no slur on his fellowman is described as the one who will be enabled to live close to God in His dwelling place. Slur (verb) is defined as: “to harm somebody’s reputation by making unfair or false statements about them” (Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary).