Bible Study Watching Our Tongues and Keeping From Slander - Greg Gordon

[Greg Gordon]

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. – James 1:19

We have all done this in our lives, spoken words that we wished we would not have. Words have power and can bring life and death, or more practically can bring encouragement or discouragement. When we speak of others by name we run the risk of speaking words that will slander a brother and such reckless words are dangerous to be spoken. Our Lord never spoke words without purpose, intent and leading from His Heavenly Father. We know Jesus never sinned in all he spoke. It would do for all us well to hold our tongues more and listen to others. Especially when we are in situations where have have hurts, emotions and displeasure. Anger can manifest in words that has their intent on revenge or punishment. Such words can cause slander, hurt and disregard to a servant of the Lord before other believers or publicly bring shame to God’s work. James exhorts believers to be slow to speak and in the original greek the meaning of that word is to be “stupid, or inactive in mind.” Essentially what is being said is do not think to respond to everything but accept what is being told you and do not be quick to respond in your own reasoning. This can be very helpful when we are in situations where we think we can fix the problem or have a disagreement with a fellow believer and just want to voice our opinion on the matter.

A.B. Simpson says, “I would rather play with forked lightning, or take in hand living wires with their fiery current, than speak a reckless word against any servant of Christ, or idly repeat the slanderous darts which thousands of Christians are hurling on others, to the hurt of their own souls and bodies.” James later in this later speaks this clear word to believers, “do not slander one another” (James 4:11). To James as an Overseer and worker in the Gospel he saw it as a red light to ever speak or repeat a careless word (Matthew 12:36) that would hurt another believer in the Lord. Repeating a slanderous report about another brother or sister in the Lord is just as worse as speaking it yourself. Moses spoke the people the law of the Lord by saying, “Do not spread false reports” (Exodus 23:1). It is very dangerous to simply repeat things we have heard and accusations when we fully do not know or understanding the truth behind the matter. This who have been hurt by someone in the body of Christ speak their hurts to others and accusations of the offender, but they can be blinded by their hurt to really see what was the true faults. There is sometimes truth in a slanderous statement but to achieve help for someone in the Church by slander will never work or bring healing. We all see in part and are blind to our own faults and errors. Be slow to speak of others, especially of their sins, but speak to the Lord often of your own.

 

[Deborah13]

James later in this later speaks this clear word to believers, “do not slander one another” (James 4:11).

“Do not spread false reports” (Exodus 23:1).

Slander/false reports/backbiting/gossip

2Co_13:1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
1Ti_5:19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
Heb_10:28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

Under the Law of Moses, slander/gossip, would not be considered to be a witness. If someone was found to have given a false report, whatever penalty was given to the one they falsely accused was given to them. Very serious crime to accuse falsely.

"So and so told me that they saw" (gossip)....is not admissible in court, unless there is some extraordinary circumstance.

 

[Kenny_ms]

Very serious crime to accuse falsely.

Very.

Used to be the law considered it a very serious crime and they may still claim it is and enforce it in a very few cases but, unfortunately, as many crimes now days, I doubt it's enforced/punished like it should be. With all the hoops something like that would have to go through in order for the state to follow through with charges, it wouldn't be cost effective.

Bet the red tape was minimal back in the day of Moses and laws could actually be enforced. One look at society today tells me non enforcement of law at least plays a big role in what some people have become.

Even slander is very hard to win. One has to prove physical loss and the law doesn't seem to even recognize soiling someones name/reputation as an infraction at all.

 

[Deborah13]

Very.
Used to be the law considered it a very serious crime and they may still claim it is and enforce it in a very few cases but, unfortunately, as many crimes now days, I doubt it's enforced/punished like it should be..

One thing for sure, if it was enforced like it was under the Law, there would be a whole lots less lying done in court.

 

[Kenny_ms]

One thing for sure, if it was enforced like it was under the Law, there would be a whole lots less lying done in court.

I almost mentioned perjury in particular and yes, it's treated as if, "well we all lie so no big deal"

My guess is they mean well, but not lying it is after all a commandment ... to be taken a lot more serious than it is. It's not and as you mention, it shows.

 

[jasonc]

Gossip is called hearsay in legal terms.thus non admissible.