In the context of biblical teachings, a "slur" refers to a derogatory or insulting remark that can harm an individual's reputation or dignity. The Bible addresses the power of words extensively, emphasizing the importance of using speech to edify rather than to harm.

Biblical Teachings on Speech:

The Bible underscores the significance of words and their potential to either build up or destroy. Proverbs 18:21 states, "Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." This verse highlights the profound impact that words can have, suggesting that they can lead to either positive or negative outcomes.

James 3:5-6 further elaborates on the power of the tongue: "In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell." This passage warns of the destructive potential of careless or malicious speech, likening it to a fire that can cause widespread damage.

Prohibition Against Slander and Malicious Talk:

The Bible explicitly condemns slander and malicious talk, which can be seen as forms of slurs. Ephesians 4:29 instructs, "Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen." This verse encourages believers to use their words constructively, avoiding speech that could harm others.

Similarly, Colossians 3:8 advises, "But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips." Here, slander is explicitly mentioned as something to be discarded, aligning with the broader biblical call to purity in speech.

The Example of Christ:

Jesus Christ serves as the ultimate example of how to use words wisely and compassionately. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus is depicted as speaking with authority, yet His words are consistently aimed at teaching, healing, and uplifting others. In John 8:11 , when addressing the woman caught in adultery, Jesus says, "Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more." His response is devoid of slurs or condemnation, instead offering grace and a call to transformation.

The Role of Believers:

Believers are called to emulate Christ in their speech, using words to reflect the love and truth of God. 1 Peter 3:10 advises, "For, 'Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.'" This exhortation encourages Christians to be mindful of their words, ensuring they align with the values of their faith.

In summary, the Bible provides clear guidance on the use of speech, warning against slurs and encouraging words that edify and reflect the character of Christ. Through the teachings of Scripture, believers are called to use their tongues as instruments of grace and truth.1. (v. t.) To soil; to sully; to contaminate; to disgrace.

2. (v. t.) To disparage; to traduce.

3. (v. t.) To cover over; to disguise; to conceal; to pass over lightly or with little notice.

4. (v. t.) To cheat, as by sliding a die; to trick.

5. (v. t.) To pronounce indistinctly; as, to slur syllables.

6. (v. t.) To sing or perform in a smooth, gliding style; to connect smoothly in performing, as several notes or tones.

7. (v. t.) To blur or double, as an impression from type; to mackle.

8. (n.) A mark or stain; hence, a slight reproach or disgrace; a stigma; a reproachful intimation; an innuendo.

9. (n.) A trick played upon a person; an imposition.

10. (n.) A mark, thus [/ or /], connecting notes that are to be sung to the same syllable, or made in one continued breath of a wind instrument, or with one stroke of a bow; a tie; a sign of legato.

11. (n.) In knitting machines, a contrivance for depressing the sinkers successively by passing over them.

3685. oninemi -- to profit, help
... A prolonged form of an apparently primary verb (onomai, to slur); for which another
prolonged form (onao) is used as an alternate in some tenses (unless indeed ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3685.htm - 6k

In the Next Place, Throwing a Slur Upon the Exhortations Spoken ...
... Chapter LXII. In the next place, throwing a slur upon the exhortations
spoken and written to those? In the next place, throwing ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lxii in the next.htm

The Condemnation of "The Three Chapters. "
... The orthodox wanted no slur cast upon Chalcedon, and, however fenced, the
condemnation of the Three Chapters indubitably involved such a slur. ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/vii the condemnation of the three.htm

The Next Performance is Mainly Directed against Faith in the ...
... his successive vagaries of religious (?) thought, we come upon a succession of strange
statements; the object of which seems to be to cast a slur on Doctrine ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/iv the next performance is.htm

Letter viii. Who are the Cultivated?
... These are the terms that intimidate the vain, selfish, illiterate rich; for to be
described as "rich but uncultivated" is regarded as a greater slur upon the ...
/.../letter viii who are the.htm

The Sinner's Friend
... mortals! Their scandal published his reputation. To this day the Savior
is adored by the title which was minted as a slur. It was ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/the sinners friend.htm

Causes of Corruption Chiefly Intentional.
... their genuineness, and an opposing opinion which he evidently considers the better
of the two, since he rests upon the latter and casts a slur upon the former ...
/.../chapter x causes of corruption.htm

Yorkshire and the Settlement System.
... "I cannot but observe," he wrote to his friend Jacob Rogers, curate at St. Paul's,
Bedford, "what a slur you cast upon the Moravians about stillness. ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter x yorkshire and the.htm

Sleep Not
... "Lord, when we leave the world and come to thee,. How dull, how slur, are we! How
backward! How prepost'rous is the motion. Of our ungain devotion! ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/sleep not.htm

The Coin in the Fish's Mouth
... Peter's quick answer seems to be prompted by zeal for his Master's honour,
on which the question appears to him to cast a slur. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the coin in the fishs.htm

Mingled in Growth, Separated in Maturity
... that it means 'the world.' Whatever view we take of the bearing of this parable
on purity of communion in the visible Church, we should not slur over Christ's ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/mingled in growth separated in.htm

Slur (1 Occurrence)
... 4. (vt) To cheat, as by sliding a die; to trick. 5. (vt) To pronounce indistinctly;
as, to slur syllables. ... Multi-Version Concordance Slur (1 Occurrence). ...
/s/slur.htm - 7k

Unknown (15 Occurrences)
... That a slur on all the other Athenian objects of worship was intended is, however,
most improbable, but Paul could not of course be expected to know the ...
/u/unknown.htm - 13k

Tie (18 Occurrences)
... restrain; to confine. 12. (vt) To unite, as notes, by a cross line, or by a
curved line, or slur, drawn over or under them. 13. (vt) To ...
/t/tie.htm - 13k

Remaliah (13 Occurrences)
... 7:4; 8:6). The contemptuous allusion to Pekah as "the son of Remaliah" in Isaiah
7:4 (similarly "the son of Kish," 1 Samuel 10:11) may be a slur on Remaliah's ...
/r/remaliah.htm - 11k

Slung (2 Occurrences)

/s/slung.htm - 7k

Slurs (1 Occurrence)

/s/slurs.htm - 6k

Flame (61 Occurrences)
... That a slur on all the other Athenian objects of worship was intended is, however,
most improbable, but Paul could not of course be expected to know the ...
/f/flame.htm - 61k

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