Definition and Context:
Slander is the act of making false and damaging statements about someone. In the biblical context, slander is considered a serious sin, as it not only harms the reputation of the individual being slandered but also disrupts the unity and harmony within the community of believers. The Bible frequently addresses the issue of slander, emphasizing the importance of truthfulness and the destructive nature of false accusations.

Biblical References:

1. Old Testament:
The Old Testament contains several admonitions against slander. In Leviticus 19:16, the Israelites are commanded, "You must not go about spreading slander among your people. You must not endanger the life of your neighbor. I am the LORD." This verse highlights the communal responsibility to uphold truth and protect one another's reputations.

The Psalms also speak against slander. Psalm 101:5 states, "Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not endure." Here, slander is associated with pride and is condemned as an act that God will not tolerate.

2. New Testament:
The New Testament continues to address the issue of slander, particularly within the context of the Christian community. In Ephesians 4:31, Paul instructs believers, "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice." This verse places slander alongside other destructive behaviors that believers are to abandon.

James 4:11 warns, "Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it." This passage underscores the importance of maintaining unity and love within the body of Christ, avoiding judgmental and harmful speech.

Theological Implications:

Slander is not merely a social or ethical issue but a spiritual one. It reflects a heart that is not aligned with God's truth and love. The Bible teaches that words have power, as seen in Proverbs 18:21, "Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." Slander, therefore, is a misuse of this power, leading to spiritual and relational death rather than life.

Practical Considerations:

Believers are called to be vigilant against slander in their own lives and communities. This involves cultivating a heart of love and truth, as well as practicing discernment in speech. Encouraging one another in truth and love, as instructed in Ephesians 4:15, "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ Himself, who is the head," is essential for building up the body of Christ and avoiding the pitfalls of slander.

Conclusion:

While the Bible does not shy away from addressing the sin of slander, it also offers a path to redemption and restoration through repentance and the pursuit of truth. By aligning one's speech with the teachings of Scripture, believers can foster a community marked by love, integrity, and unity.(imp. & p. p.) of Slander.1426a. dusphemeo -- to use evil words, to speak ill of
... 1426, 1426a. dusphemeo. 1426b . to use evil words, to speak ill of.
Transliteration: dusphemeo Short Definition: slandered. Word ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1426a.htm - 5k

987. blasphemeo -- to slander, hence to speak lightly or profanely ...
... 1), blasphemes (3), blaspheming (4), dishonored (1), hurling abuse (3), malign
(2), maligned (1), revile (3), reviling (1), slandered (1), slanderously ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/987.htm - 9k

2635. katalaleo -- to speak evil of
... Word Origin from katalalos Definition to speak evil of NASB Word Usage slander
(1), slandered (1), speak against (1), speaks against (2). speak evil of. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2635.htm - 7k

7167. qara -- to tear
... root Definition to tear NASB Word Usage cut (2), enlarge (1), rend (3), slandered
(1), split apart (2), surely tear (1), tear (7), tear apart (1), tear away (1 ...
/hebrew/7167.htm - 6k

7270. ragal -- to go about on foot
... Word Origin denominative verb from regel Definition to go about on foot NASB Word
Usage slander (1), slandered (1), spied (3), spies (11), spy (9), taught to ...
/hebrew/7270.htm - 6k

Immediately after This, Celsus, Perceiving that He Has Slandered ...
... Chapter LIX. Immediately after this, Celsus, perceiving that he has
slandered us with too great bitterness? Immediately after ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lix immediately after this.htm

A Sermon of the Reverend Father Master Hugh Latimer, Preached in ...
... to the labour and work of ploughing, and the preacher to a ploughman: ye may not
be offended with this my similitude; for I have been slandered of some persons ...
/.../latimer/sermons on the card and other discourses/a sermon of the reverend.htm

That Thy Resurrection Might be Believed among the Gainsayers, they ...
... For they slandered the Conception as being of the seed of man, and the Resurrection
as being of the robbery of man; the seal and the signet convicted them, and ...
/.../hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn viii that thy resurrection.htm

Unless the Scriptures be Understood through God's Great Grace, God ...
... by circumcision and the other ordinances"to wit, the Sabbath, and sacrifices, and
libations, [2307] and offerings; [God will be slandered] unless you show ...
/.../chapter xcii unless the scriptures be.htm

The Ninth Commandment
... Jerome says: The Arian faction made a show of kindness; they kissed my hands, but
slandered me, and sought my life.' As it is a sin against this commandment to ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 9 the ninth commandment.htm

The Sin-Bearer.
... If these sufferings are entirely undeserved, and we are grossly slandered, we shall
be comforted by remembering Him who did no sin, and in whose lips was found ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/the sin-bearer.htm

Nuremberg Sept. 15, 1530. To the Honorable and Worthy N. , My ...
... But I did have a laugh at the great wisdom that so terribly slandered, condemned
and forbade my New Testament, when it was published under my name, but ...
/.../luther/an open letter on translating/nuremberg sept 15 1530 to.htm

Looking unto Jesus
... Solomon's whip, but slander is like the scorpion of Rehoboam, to fall into the depths
of poverty is to have it on thy little finger, but to be slandered is to ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/looking unto jesus.htm

Against those who Object Because the Devil Has not Been Put Out of ...
... For the Devil, the slanderer that is, is called so from slandering; for he slandered
man to God saying "Doth Job reverence thee for nought? ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily ii against those who.htm

I Might Well Reply as I have done Even if it were a Question of a ...
... Prophet: "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord": and in another place:
"Thou satest and spakest against thy brother, and hast slandered thy mother's ...
/.../31 i might well reply.htm

Slandered (8 Occurrences)
...Slandered (8 Occurrences). Romans 14:16 Then don't let your good be slandered,
(WEB). 1 Corinthians 4:13 when slandered, we try to conciliate. ...
/s/slandered.htm - 8k

Slander (34 Occurrences)
... his master (Proverbs 30:10). Even a land may be slandered as well as persons
(Numbers 14:36). Slanderers and backbiters are mentioned ...
/s/slander.htm - 21k

Universe (19 Occurrences)
... For we are made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and men. (See NIV).
1 Corinthians 4:13 when slandered, we try to conciliate. ...
/u/universe.htm - 12k

Onias
... Simon then slandered Onias, and the jealousy having caused bloodshed between their
followers, Onias decided to repair in person to the king to intercede for ...
/o/onias.htm - 10k

Regarded (52 Occurrences)
... They stuck their foot against the stone which lay in their way; (WEY). 1
Corinthians 4:13 when slandered, we try to conciliate. We ...
/r/regarded.htm - 20k

Mere (56 Occurrences)
... We are mere weaklings: you are strong. You are in high repute: we are outcasts.
(WEY). 1 Corinthians 4:13 when slandered, we try to conciliate. ...
/m/mere.htm - 22k

Pleases (51 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 19:27 He has slandered your servant to my lord the king; but my lord the
king is as an angel of God. Do therefore what is good in your eyes. (See NIV). ...
/p/pleases.htm - 21k

Conciliate (1 Occurrence)
... to appease. Multi-Version Concordance Conciliate (1 Occurrence). 1 Corinthians
4:13 when slandered, we try to conciliate. We have ...
/c/conciliate.htm - 7k

Slanderer (5 Occurrences)

/s/slanderer.htm - 7k

Gezer (14 Occurrences)
... this city. In one, a certain freebooter named Lapaya makes excuses that
he had broken into the city. He "has been slandered. Is it ...
/g/gezer.htm - 27k

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