Slander is an unjustified, critical and damaging statement, oral or written, made against another person—which has the potential to ruin their reputation, impede their ability to make a living and be publicly accepted in society. What does the Bible say about slander?
God’s Word repeatedly addresses the problem of gossip, backbiting and slander. For example, the Book of Proverbs warns believers against those who “go around as slanderers” (Prov. 20:19). Not only that, but God’s Word also recognizes that speaking unkindly of others and gossiping involve great sin. In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul cautions us to “not even talk about” the sinful actions of a fellow Christian. This reveals that God takes seriously the sinful and destructive nature of gossip, slander and lies.
In addition to the teaching in the New Testament, the Old Testament is also instructive. The Ten Commandments forbid taking God’s name in vain (Ex. 20:7) and, in Proverbs 6:16–17, believers are warned against three sins: a lying tongue, murdering and slandering people. Here, slander is placed alongside the most extreme and heinous of all acts. This serves as a clear sign to believers that, just as adultery and murder are serious violations, so also is speaking unkindly of others.
Gossip, slander, and all forms of slanderous behavior are serious sins in God’s eyes. One of the greatest challenges posed by these sins is that they often go unnoticed and unaddressed by the church, which is why believers must be sure to take steps to guard against them. One way to strive to control our tongues is by practising discernment. Believers must become wise to the fact that when we speak, whether it’s true or not, we can easily ruin someone’s reputation (Prov. 16:28). Another practical suggestion is to practice the “rule of three”—before repeating a rumor, make sure to talk about it with three people.
In addition to avoiding slander, believers must also be prepared to stand up for the people who are knocked down. When we hear people speaking badly about someone, especially a Christian brother or sister, we must humbly oppose gossiping and slander and “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves” (Prov. 31:8). The best way of handling the problem is to confront people directly and kindly. We might say, “I don’t think what you’ve said is true, and I don’t want to hear it.” That’s a way of showing love to others and also defending our Christian witness—namely, that we don’t spread rumors and lies but instead seek to protect and love one another.
The Impact of Slander
Slander has severe consequences for the people affected by it. It reveals a lack of respect for another individual, disrupting peace and unity in a church, family or community. We are warned in Proverbs 11:12 to avoid stooping to “slander and gossip” or engaging in “scorning” and “evil talk”. Repeated slander can create a wedge in relationships and a general atmosphere of mistrust. To make matters worse, it can be difficult to repair the damage once it has been done, because although the words may have left our mouths, they can live on long after we have spoken them.
Even if we are not guilty of slander, it can still take its toll on us, as we can become hurt, lost and despairing. It’s important for us to remember that no matter how hard it may be, God loves us and will never abandon us in our hour of need. When we feel attacked, discouraged or hurt, we must turn to Him for strength and comfort (Ps. 55:22).
Restoring Victims of Slander
God commands us to show mercy, grace and understanding to others. An act of slander should not be the end of a story, but rather an opportunity for believers to demonstrate these three qualities and restore relationships. While this can be difficult, if we turn to the Lord’s strength and guidance and trust in the power of his love, we can rise up and overcome slander(Col. 3:12–13).
This challenge of restoring those affected by slander is, however, difficult because it demands that both the slanderer and the one slandered take ownership of their part in restoring a relationship. That could mean taking public ownership of the fact that one was slandered, or having to own up to being the slanderous individual. Having the humility and grace to do this is tough, but it’s what God requires.
The offenders must be willing to repent of the wrong-doing and follow Jesus’ example by letting love lead. Meanwhile, those wronged must forgive the perpetrator, in order that restoration and healing can take place (Eph. 4:31–32). Believers must be patient and open-minded with one-another, rather than dwelling on the offense and letting it take root and sour the relationship forever.
The Life of Joseph
The life of Joseph offers an exemplary example of a wronged person responding in humility, purity and obedience to God, despite the slanderous accusations made against him by his brothers and Potiphar’s wife (Gen. 39:7–20). The way in which Joseph handled such difficult circumstances is edifying for us all. Joseph didn’t retaliate or get angry; he simply humbled himself and trusted God for the final outcome. We, too, can live like Joseph and trust God to handle our defamation, whatever form it takes.
God cares deeply about honour and integrity, and requires believers to demonstrate these values even in the presence of slander. Whether you’re the slanderer or the one being slandered, the Bible suggests that humility, grace and love are essential for all relationships to be restored. We must always remember that, no matter how hard it may seem, God has a way of turning wrongs into rights, and restoring individuals in the face of oppression, injustice and lies.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the Bible makes clear that slander is unacceptable in the eyes of God. Believers must be humble, gracious, and patient with one-another, and speak boldly and truthfully, refraining from making false and damaging statements of any kind. Whether we are the offenders or the victims of slander, God calls us to repentance and forgiveness, just as He offered gracious forgiveness and restoration to Joseph in his difficult hour. By trusting in His ways, we can receive God’s strength and grace to overcome slanderous situations and ultimately restore relationships.
