The term "maligned" refers to being spoken about in a harmful, false, or misleading manner. In the context of the Bible, being maligned often involves unjust criticism or slander against individuals, particularly those who are righteous or followers of God. The concept of being maligned is addressed in several passages, highlighting both the experience of being unjustly criticized and the appropriate response to such treatment.

Biblical Instances and Teachings

1. Jesus Christ: Jesus Himself was maligned by the religious leaders of His time. They accused Him of blasphemy, breaking the Sabbath, and even being in league with Satan. In Matthew 12:24 , the Pharisees said, "This man drives out demons only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons." Despite these accusations, Jesus remained steadfast in His mission and responded with wisdom and truth.

2. Early Christians: The early church faced significant maligning from both Jewish and Roman authorities. In 1 Peter 4:4 , Peter writes, "Because of this, they consider it strange of you not to plunge with them into the same flood of reckless indiscretion, and they heap abuse on you." This passage reflects the social and verbal persecution early Christians endured for their distinct lifestyle and beliefs.

3. Apostle Paul: Paul frequently encountered maligning during his ministry. In Acts 24:5-6 , Tertullus accuses Paul before Felix, saying, "We have found this man to be a pestilent fellow, an agitator among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes." Despite these false accusations, Paul continued to preach the Gospel boldly.

Response to Being Maligned

The Bible provides guidance on how believers should respond to being maligned. Jesus taught His followers to expect persecution and to respond with love and prayer. In Matthew 5:11-12 , He says, "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."

The Apostle Peter also encourages believers to maintain good conduct so that those who malign them may be put to shame by their good behavior. In 1 Peter 3:16 , he writes, "Keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ."

Spiritual Perspective

From a spiritual perspective, being maligned is often seen as a test of faith and character. It is an opportunity for believers to demonstrate the love and grace of Christ in the face of adversity. The Bible assures believers that God is aware of their suffering and will ultimately vindicate them. In Romans 12:19 , Paul reminds believers, "Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: 'Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.'"

Conclusion

While being maligned is a painful experience, the Bible offers comfort and guidance, encouraging believers to respond with integrity and trust in God's justice. Through these trials, Christians are called to reflect the character of Christ, who Himself was maligned yet remained faithful to His mission.(imp. & p. p.) of Malign.987. blasphemeo -- to slander, hence to speak lightly or profanely ...
... evil (1), blaspheme (4), blasphemed (6), blasphemers (1), blasphemes (3), blaspheming
(4), dishonored (1), hurling abuse (3), malign (2), maligned (1), revile ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/987.htm - 9k

Prefatory Notice.
... rebuilt, among the imagery commemorative of the nation's literary glories, a place
was voted for the bust of the Bedford pastor, once so maligned and persecuted ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/prefatory notice.htm

That we Should Seek the Verdict of Our Conscience in Every ...
... people praise someone if his conscience internally accuses him, in the same way
on the contrary it does a man no harm to be despised, maligned and persecuted ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/albert/on cleaving to god/chapter 14 that we should.htm

A Burning and Shining Lamp.
... The Lord Jesus was maligned and persecuted because He was the Emancipator of
the Sabbath day from foolish and mistaken notions of sanctity. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/xiii a burning and shining.htm

The Godly are in Some Sense Already Blessed
... They are blessed before they are crowned. This seems a paradox to flesh
and blood. What, reproached and maligned, yet blessed! A ...
/.../watson/the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/3 the godly are in.htm

The Joy of the Lord.
... It is true He wept, He had sufferings, He was tempted, He was ill-treated, cast
out, maligned, accused of evil and rejected, but joy filled His heart. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the lord of glory/the joy of the lord.htm

The Waldenses
... They were branded as heretics, their motives impugned, their characters maligned,
their writings suppressed, misrepresented, or mutilated. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 4 the waldenses.htm

Liberty of Conscience Threatened
... The defenders of the papacy declare that the church has been maligned, and
the Protestant world are inclined to accept the statement. ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 35 liberty of conscience.htm

The Waldenses.
... They were branded as heretics, their motives impugned, their characters maligned,
their writings suppressed, misrepresented, or mutilated. ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /4 the waldenses.htm

Aims of the Papacy.
... The defenders of the papacy declare that the church has been maligned; and
the Protestant world are inclined to accept the statement. ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /35 aims of the papacy.htm

The Consulship of Eutropius
... We all know how staid and quiet you are, Philip,' said Chrysostom. There now!' said
Eutyches. You've disturbed him and maligned me. Now begin your guessing. ...
/.../chapter xxiv the consulship of.htm

Maligned (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Maligned (3 Occurrences). ... 2 Peter 2:2 Many will follow
their immoral ways, and as a result, the way of the truth will be maligned. ...
/m/maligned.htm - 7k

Malignant (5 Occurrences)

/m/malignant.htm - 8k

Malignity (1 Occurrence)

/m/malignity.htm - 8k

Licentiousness (10 Occurrences)
... worship. (See RSV). 2 Peter 2:2 Many will follow their immoral ways, and as
a result, the way of the truth will be maligned. (See RSV). ...
/l/licentiousness.htm - 9k

Immoral (16 Occurrences)
... (WEB RSV NIV). 2 Peter 2:2 Many will follow their immoral ways, and as a
result, the way of the truth will be maligned. (WEB WEY). ...
/i/immoral.htm - 11k

Reviled (25 Occurrences)
... glorified. (See NAS). 2 Peter 2:2 Many will follow their immoral ways, and as
a result, the way of the truth will be maligned. (See RSV). ...
/r/reviled.htm - 13k

Sensuality (9 Occurrences)
... idolatries. (See NAS). 2 Peter 2:2 Many will follow their immoral ways, and
as a result, the way of the truth will be maligned. (See NAS). ...
/s/sensuality.htm - 9k

Result (73 Occurrences)
... souls. (WEB). 2 Peter 2:2 Many will follow their immoral ways, and as a
result, the way of the truth will be maligned. (WEB). Jude ...
/r/result.htm - 27k

Follow (267 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). 2 Peter 2:2 Many will follow their immoral
ways, and as a result, the way of the truth will be maligned. ...
/f/follow.htm - 38k

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Maligned: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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