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Practical Christianity Message 38 of 51
The Tragedy of Slander and Gossip
Pastor Anthony King· June 19, 2022
James 4:11-12
“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. There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?”
James 4:11-12
The series
A Study in James
James 4: 11-12
Slander: “a false tale or report maliciously uttered, and tending to injure the reputation of another by lessening him in the esteem of his fellow citizens, by exposing him to impeachment and punishment, or by impairing his means of living.”
Gossip: “casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details that are not confirmed as being true:”
Gossip is sinful and damaging, but slander is gossip with a more nefarious motive.
A person’s dignity, character and reputation are one of their most prized worldly possessions. Slander and gossip seek to destroy this.
A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.Proverbs 22:1
Slander against a person’s name is so damaging, even our society recognizes defamation of character as a crime.
In some cultures, suicide is encouraged if one has defamed the family name.
Slander and gossip ruins relationships.
A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.Proverbs 16:28
He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.Proverbs 17:9
Slander and gossip hurts others.
The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.Proverbs 18:8
Slander and gossip destroys people.
An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.Proverbs 11:9
The instruments also of the churl are evil: he deviseth wicked devices to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaketh right.Isaiah 32:7
Slander and gossip stirs up contention and spreads strife.
Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.Proverbs 26:20
A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.Proverbs 6:19
What we say comes from our heart. To change what we say, we must change our heart.
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.Luke 6:45
If we speak evil of someone, we must ask, “Why?”
For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:Matthew 15:19
To keep our words right, we must keep our hearts right.
We cannot sit in judgment of others, that is God’s place alone.
While we cannot judge, we can evaluate and encourage those away from God.
Gossip is evidence of an immature Christian.
Slander is evidence of a carnal, sinful Christian.
Our response to Christians facing difficulty should be compassion, not glee.
Huikala has a Zero Tolerance Policy on gossip and slander.
11Speak 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. 12There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another? James 4:11-12
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