AP

Day 32: Slander and scoffing – part 1

When we slander others, the cutting is felt in four ways: we hurt our hearers by filling their ears with unworthy things; we hurt the person we have spoken poorly about; we hurt our own souls; and we grieve the Lord God.

How is a believer to respond to slander? Christ Himself is our example: “When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly (1 Peter 2:23).” May the Holy Spirit give us grace at such times.

Slander is a sin that is easy to go along with, and often only after we have spoken wrongly do our consciences show us that we have sinned. Often the proverbs tell us that there is wisdom in silence (Prov. 11:12). Rash words inflict wounds (Prov. 12:18) and start fights (Prov. 18:6). All sin ultimately is against God, so that to mock the poor is to insult God who made them (Prov. 17:5). May these proverbs cause us to rightly fear the LORD.

We are responsible and accountable for everything that we say. May we set a trap over our mouths, so that slander, belittling, rash or mocking words will never pass our lips. Let our every word be pleasing to God.  

The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool.

– Prov. 10:18

Whoever belittles his neighbour lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.

– Prov. 11:12

Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.

– Prov. 11:13

There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

– Prov. 12:18

Fools mock at the guilt offering, but the upright enjoy acceptance.

– Prov. 14:9

Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.

– Prov. 17:5

A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating.

– Prov. 18:6

Father God, You have made all people in Your image, therefore we must guard what we say about others. A fool slanders and mocks, causing fights and trouble. Lord, Your word says that if we are Christians, then we must set our minds on things above. We are to put away all anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from our mouths.

If we have died with, and been raised with Christ, so that our lives are now hidden with Christ in You, then help us obey Your word.

In Jesus’ Name we pray,

Amen.

– Graham Barnes