Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Meaning:The term "slanderous" refers to the act of making false and damaging statements about someone. In a biblical context, slander is considered a serious sin, as it involves bearing false witness and harming the reputation of others. The Bible frequently addresses the issue of slander, emphasizing the importance of truthfulness and the destructive nature of deceitful speech.
Biblical References:1.
Old Testament: The Old Testament contains numerous warnings against slander. In the Ten Commandments, God commands, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (
Exodus 20:16). This commandment underscores the importance of honesty and integrity in speech.
Leviticus 19:16 further instructs, "You must not go about spreading slander among your people. You must not endanger the life of your neighbor. I am the LORD."
2.
Wisdom Literature: The Book of Proverbs frequently addresses the issue of slander and the power of the tongue.
Proverbs 10:18 states, "The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool." This verse highlights the foolishness and moral corruption associated with slanderous behavior.
Proverbs 16:28 adds, "A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip separates close friends," illustrating the divisive nature of slander.
3.
New Testament: The New Testament continues to condemn slander as a sin. In
Romans 1:29-30, the Apostle Paul lists slander among the sins of those who have turned away from God: "They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful." This passage underscores the severity of slander as part of a broader pattern of sinful behavior.
In
Ephesians 4:31, Paul exhorts believers to "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice." This instruction is part of a call to live a life worthy of the calling received in Christ, marked by love, kindness, and forgiveness.
4.
Pastoral Epistles: The pastoral epistles also address the issue of slander. In
1 Timothy 3:11, Paul advises that women in the church should be "dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in all things." Similarly,
Titus 2:3 instructs older women to be "reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not addicted to much wine, but teachers of good."
Theological Implications:Slander is not merely a social faux pas but a violation of God's law and an affront to His character, which is rooted in truth and righteousness. The Bible's consistent condemnation of slander reflects the high value placed on truthfulness and the protection of one's neighbor's reputation. Slander is seen as a tool of the enemy, used to sow discord and division among God's people.
Practical Application:Believers are called to guard their tongues and speak truthfully, reflecting the character of Christ in their interactions.
James 1:26 warns, "If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless." Christians are encouraged to cultivate speech that builds up rather than tears down, promoting unity and love within the body of Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Given or disposed to slander; uttering slander.
2. (a.) Embodying or containing slander; calumnious; as, slanderous words, speeches, or reports.
Greek
989. blasphemos --slanderous, evil-speaking...slanderous, evil-speaking. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: blasphemos
Phonetic Spelling: (blas'-fay-mos) Short Definition:
slanderous Definition
...1228. diabolos --slanderous, accusing falsely
...slanderous, accusing falsely. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: diabolos
Phonetic Spelling: (dee-ab'-ol-os) Short Definition:slanderous, the Slanderer...
2637. katalalos -- a defamer
... a defamer. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: katalalos Phonetic Spelling:
(kat-al'-al-os) Short Definition:slanderous, back-biting Definition...
940. baskaino -- to slander, hence by ext. to bewitch
... 5,13, ).]. Word Origin from baskanos (slanderous) Definition to slander, hence
by ext. to bewitch NASB Word Usage bewitched (1). bewitch....
Strong's Hebrew
7400. rakil -- slander... Word Origin from rakal Definition slander NASB Word Usage slanderer (3),
slanderous (1), talebearer (2). slander, carry tales, talebearer.
...Library
My Opponent Will Perhaps Meet Me with Many OtherSlanderous and...
... Book I. 43 My opponent will perhaps meet me with many otherslanderous
and childish charges which are? My opponent will perhaps...
How God Makes Trial of the Strength of Man's Will by Means of his...
... weight of temptations and losses, contrived with all the cruelty of his foe, how
would the devil have repeated with some justice thatslanderous speech which...
No Possible Time or Place for the Alleged Offence.
... Now what place and time does my accuser specify, at which I made use of
these expressions according to hisslanderous imputation?...
And Since Jesus, in Teaching his Disciples not to be Guilty of...
... Himself to danger rashly, or unseasonably, or without good grounds; from this Celsus
takes occasion to bring a malicious andslanderous accusation,"the Jew...
John Calvin. His Life and Character.
... 'A mean andslanderous libel,' inspired by feelings of hatred and revenge.... (also
in English and German), is mostly aslanderous caricature, based upon Bolsec....
The Folly of Slander. Part 1.
... There areslanderous truths as well asslanderous falsehoods: when truth is uttered
with a deceitful heart, and to a base end, it becomes a lie....
Letters of the Council of Sardica to the Churches of Egypt and of...
... came in. 38. The base andslanderous charge which they next alleged against
him, has become well-known to all men. They raised a...
The Seven Books of Arnobius Against the Heathen
... mere human being.? 43 My opponent will perhaps meet me with many other
slanderous and childish charges which are? 44 And yet...
A Little Sanctuary
... Brethren, let us brace ourselves to bear the bruises ofslanderous tongues!
Let us take all sharp speeches and cutting criticisms to God....
An Exposition of the Chapters of the Acts of the Apostles.
... H. The rising andslanderous information of the Jews against Stephen, and his address
concerning the covenant of God with Abraham, and concerning the twelve...
Thesaurus
Slanderous (4 Occurrences)... 2. (a.) Embodying or containing slander; calumnious; as,
slanderous words, speeches,
or reports. Multi-Version Concordance
Slanderous (4 Occurrences).
...Tale (7 Occurrences)
... In talebearer the word has another meaning, namely, "slanderous talk or gossip."
The word occurs 5 times in Proverbs 11:13; Proverbs 18:8; Proverbs 20:19...
Talebearers (1 Occurrence)
... Ezekiel 22:9Slanderous men have been in thee to shed blood; and in thee they have
eaten upon the mountains: in the midst of thee they have committed lewdness....
Defame
... 1. (vt) To slander; to harm or destroy the good reputation of; to disgrace; especially,
to speak evil of maliciously; to dishonor byslanderous reports; to...
Sword (427 Occurrences)
... 16:40; 21:3-5). It is a symbol of divine chastisement (Deuteronomy 32:25; Psalm
7:12; 78:62), and of aslanderous tongue (Psalm 57:4; 64:3; Proverbs 12:18)....
Slanderously (3 Occurrences)
Slandering (2 Occurrences)
Satan (50 Occurrences)
... In the controversy with His opponents concerning exorcism (Mark 3:22 f and parallel's)
our Lord rebuts theirslanderous assertion that He is in league with...
Lewd (37 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 22:9Slanderous men have been in you to shed blood; and in you they have
eaten on the mountains: in the midst of you they have committed lewdness....
Shrines (40 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 22:9Slanderous men have been in you to shed blood; and in you they have
eaten on the mountains: in the midst of you they have committed lewdness....
Resources
What does the Bible say about slander? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are archangels? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are some encouraging Bible verses? | GotQuestions.orgSlanderous: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
