Slander is an act that the Bible strongly condemns. The use of harmful and false statements to tarnish another person’s reputation is a form of abuse, clearly addressed in various books of the Bible. Slander is not only a personal misconduct but also a violation of God’s commandments.
What Does the Bible Say About Slander?
The Bible vehemently condemns slander, highlighting it as an immoral and deceitful act. Deliberately spreading false information about another person that could destroy their reputation, character, or good name is considered a serious offense. It goes beyond just an unfavorable social act; the Bible categorizes it as a damning sin. In the teachings of the Bible, bearers of false witness and spreaders of corruption in the land are included among those who draw God’s wrath upon themselves, suggesting how the act of tale bearing and defamation strongly defies religious virtues.
Why Does the Bible Condemn Slander?
Slander goes against the grain of love, one of the defining attributes of the Christian faith. It is a violation of the Biblical commandment that binds us to love our neighbor as ourselves. By spreading false reports about others with the intent to harm, slanderers disrupt the harmony within a community and defile their tongues, engaging in deeds that the Bible describes as ungodly. The act of slander, therefore, is seen as a direct offense against God’s commands and contradicts the ideals of peace, love, and community, central to the teachings of the Bible.
Who is Warned Against Slander in the Bible?
While all followers of the faith are warned against slander in the Bible, repeated references are made to those with the power of speech and influence. This includes leaders, teachers, and other figures who possess the ability to mold public opinion. They are cautioned against using their words irresponsibly to bring harm to others. Moreover, the Bible holds those in positions of influence to a higher moral standard, demanding that they use their words with prudence and kindness. The Bible’s teachings are clear – everyone, regardless of their social standing or level of influence, should abstain from spreading false reports or indulging in defamation.
When Does the Bible Cite Slanderous Behavior?
The Bible provides various instances and implications of slander, both in the Old and New Testaments. These teachings often occur in contexts where discussions about righteousness, virtue, and sin take place. The Bible frequently construes slander as an obstacle in the journey toward spiritual growth and personal transformation. Slander is presented as an unrighteous act, a stumbling block in the path toward achieving self-improvement and spiritual enlightenment according to God’s teachings. Recognizing the destructive form of slander, the Bible warns against its use, fostering an environment of truth, peace, love, and respect.
What is the Bible’s Teaching on Overcoming Slander?
The Bible does not leave its followers without guidance on dealing with slander. It can be deeply hurtful to be on the receiving end of false accusations and harmful speech. However, the Bible advises those affected by slander to maintain their integrity, remember their own behavior, and seek guidance and consolation from God’s words. Above all, it teaches that prevention is better than cure. In other words, followers are encouraged to model dignifying behavior, speaking only the truth and abstaining from slander in all its forms. In doing so, the Bible aims to build a community grounded in love and mutual respect, distancing itself from the harm of defamatory speech.
Below is our full list of bible verses on slander (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Slander
Psalm 101:5
“5 Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.”
Related Themes: Gossip Pride Humility
Matthew 12:36
“36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.”
Related Themes: Gossip Idleness Fighting Accountability
1 Peter 3:16
“16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.”
Related Themes: Gossip Persecution Integrity False Accusations
Proverbs 10:18
“18 He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.”
James 4:11
“11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.”
Related Themes: Gossip Criticism Judging Others Gossip
2 Timothy 3:1-5
“1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
Related Themes: Manipulation Gossip Boasting Narcissism Pride
Exodus 20:16
“16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.”
Related Themes: Gossip Telling The Truth Lying Reputation False Accusations
Titus 3:2
“2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.”
Related Themes: Gossip Humility Judging Others Gentleness Meekness
Matthew 5:11
“11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.”
Related Themes: Gossip Bullying Persecution False Accusations Persecution
1 Peter 2:1
“1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,”
Related Themes: Bitterness Gossip Lust Persecution Hypocrisy
Proverbs 16:28
“28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.”
Related Themes: Gossip Criticism Friendship Strife Morals
Ephesians 4:31-32
“31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
Related Themes: Bitterness Letting Go Gossip Criticism
Luke 6:45
“45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.”
Related Themes: Abundance Heart Peer Pressure Cursing
Psalm 109:3
“3 They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause.”
Proverbs 20:19
“19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.”
Related Themes: Gossip Idleness Judging Others
Exodus 23:1
“1 Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.”
Related Themes: Gossip Social Justice False Accusations Justice Lying
Proverbs 11:9
“9 An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.”
Related Themes: Gossip Reaping Reputation Hypocrisy
Mark 7:20-23
“20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”
James 1:12
“12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”
Related Themes: Perseverance Lust Suffering Life Addiction
Psalm 50:20
“20 Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother’s son.”
Related Themes: Gossip
Ephesians 4:32
“32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Forgiveness Kindness Bitterness Reconciliation
1 Peter 3:10
“10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:”
Related Themes: Telling The Truth Honesty Life Peace
Matthew 7:12
“12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.”
Related Themes: Criticism Gossip Respect Respecting Your Parents Morality
Proverbs 17:9
“9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.”
Related Themes: Gossip Bitterness Forgiveness Love Friendship
Colossians 3:8
“8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.”
Related Themes: Bitterness Gossip Frustration Cursing Anger
Proverbs 6:19
“19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”
Related Themes: Abomination Gossip Reaping Reaping What You Sow
1 Corinthians 4:13
“13 Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.”
Leviticus 19:16
“16 Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD.”
Related Themes: Gossip Arguing False Accusations
James 1:19-20
“19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”
Related Themes: Criticism Bitterness Frustration Patience Frustration
Proverbs 15:1
“1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”
Related Themes: Arguing Criticism Bitterness Criticism Gossip
