Slander – Proverbs 30:10a
Do not slander a slave to his master.
Blessed are the lips through which no false charges or defaming remarks pass. Wise are they who, heeding the Lord’s instruction to refrain from slander, stand before our holy God free from the darkening shadow cast by destructive words.[1]
While never, under any circumstance, is slander justified, God focuses His admonition in Proverbs 30 against maligning others to those with authority over them, such as employers, committee chairs, or church elders, since doing so could cause irreparable harm to those maligned. Unbecoming indeed is loose and defaming talk from the bride of Christ, for in so doing we harm those created in God’s own image by insidiously damaging their good names and casting doubts about them that may linger in the minds of those otherwise inclined to good will toward them.
While separating ourselves from slanderers, we are to walk as those rich in understanding and to resist the temptation to share our perception unnecessarily of another’s flaws and eccentricities. Surely, we would not want the Lord to compare us to the wicked whose mouths are full of deceit as they defame others by passing on half-truths, insinuations, accusations, and gossip.[2] Such careless people embark along a dark and dangerous road when they speak against others with the intention of harming them or benefiting themselves. Gratefully, our love for Christ and our desire to obey His statutes holds us back from slandering others since slander invites destruction into our midst and causes distress among us.[3]
As Christians, we are to stand apart from slanderers and guard our own lips. Rather than indulging in the momentary, yet injurious and twisted, satisfaction gained from disparaging others, especially superiors or leaders, we should desire, above all else, to please our gentle and merciful Lord, and to hold closely to the instruction in Ephesians to edify others and extend grace to them.[4] We should keep silent regarding the deficiencies of others unless our obligations dictate we must, and then we need to speak the truth in love.[5]
Consider your words, and ensure they are true, life giving, necessary, and wise, and as a follower of Christ, you will abide with joy and peace in the house of the Lord and dwell in His holy land.[6]
[1] Leviticus 19:16
[2] Psalm 10:2-7
[3] Romans 2:9-10
[4] Ephesians 4:29
[5] Ephesians 4:15
[6] Psalm 15:1-4
