You shall not go about as a talebearer among your people; nor shall you take a stand against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:16
Slander is any information that is false or harmful to another person about their character, words or actions. In a simple way of putting it, slander is lying about someone else or using information harmfully against someone.
In this world slander has become a common place thing. Everywhere a person looks, he will see slander. It occurs from the person at the bottom, all the way to the top leaders of the nation.
In the workplace or in the political realm, people slander others in order to get to the top position. Many believe that if they can show the dirt on another person, he will look better.
These types of actions and words do not only happen in the world, but they also occur inside the church. People are very quick to talk badly about a person’s personal struggles with sin, rather than build the person up and encourage the person to grow more in the Lord. Pastors are often slandered behind closed doors for how bad the sermon was or because they did not come and visit someone.
God had told the Israelites to not spread any slander among the people or even do anything that endangers anyone’s life. Slander only brings harm to a person. It never lifts one up. A little slander can destroy a person for life, because many believe the false words and hold it against the person. Positions are removed, trust in the person is lost because someone spread a false word.
People accept the slander as truth because they do not want to take the time to verify the real truth of the situation. They believe others, rather than seeking out the truth.
As a believer, you must be careful in the words that you speak. God will take every idle word you speak into account. Do not slander any person, regardless of how good or how bad they are. Never speak a lie.
If you hear slander being spoken, you must put a stop to it. Do not partake in the harming of another person.
Jesus never slandered anyone, but built them up. God wants people to be built up to be like Jesus. They need to be encouraged, rather than cut down and destroyed.
Take time to build others up today.
I pray today that God will reveal all slander you hear; that you will build people up in Jesus; that God will strengthen you to stop all slander you hear; and that God will guide you in knowing the truth.
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This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Insights from Tom
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