Slander

False and malicious talk about others. It not only harms those against whom it is directed, but also brings ruin to those who propagate it.

Slander condemned

Slander is sinful

Mark 7:21–23 parallel Matthew 15:19–20 See also Jeremiah 9:4–6; Ezekiel 22:9; Romans 1:29–31; 2 Corinthians 12:20; 2 Timothy 3:2–4

For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. All these evils come from within, and these are what defile a man.”

Slander is forbidden

Leviticus 19:16 See also Exodus 23:1; Proverbs 3:30, Proverbs 10:18, Proverbs 12:22; Ephesians 4:31; Colossians 3:8; Titus 2:3, Titus 3:1–2; James 4:11; 1 Peter 2:1

You must not go about spreading slander among your people. You must not endanger the life of your neighbor. I am the LORD.

Slander is destructive

Proverbs 16:27 See also Proverbs 11:9, Proverbs 26:28, Proverbs 30:10

A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.

Dealing with slander

Committing one's cause to God

Psalm 120:1–2 See also Psalm 12:1–7, Psalm 31:14–20, Psalm 64:1–4, Psalm 69:6–21, Psalm 109:1–5

A song of ascents. In my distress I cried to the LORD, and He answered me. Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips and a deceitful tongue.

Maintaining one's integrity

1 Peter 2:12 See also Psalm 119:23; 1 Peter 2:15, 1 Peter 3:9, 1 Peter 3:15–17

Conduct yourselves with such honor among the Gentiles that, though they slander you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.

Rejoicing in the Lord

Matthew 5:11–12 See also Acts 5:41

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.

Not listening to slander

1 Samuel 24:9 See also Proverbs 17:4

and said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Look, David intends to harm you’ ?

Judgment upon slanderers

Proverbs 21:28 See also Deuteronomy 22:13–19; Proverbs 19:5, Proverbs 19:9, Proverbs 21:28; Isaiah 29:20–21, Isaiah 51:7–8; 1 Corinthians 6:9–10

A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever.

Examples of slander

Jeremiah 18:18 See also Genesis 39:7–20; 1 Kings 21:1–14 Naboth's vineyard; Nehemiah 6:5–7; Psalm 31:13, Psalm 35:15–16, Psalm 38:19–20, Psalm 41:5–9; Luke 23:2; Acts 6:13–14, Acts 24:5–9; Romans 3:8; 3 John 1:9–10

Then some said, “Come, let us make plans against Jeremiah, for the law will never be lost to the priest, nor counsel to the wise, nor an oracle to the prophet. Come, let us denounce him and pay no heed to any of his words.”