The Sin of Slander
(April 12, 2026)
Before I delve into this week’s topic, I just want to say that in no way do I consider
these articles the last word on the subject. The purpose of these articles is to get
us thinking and studying more on the subject. May the Lord help us to be diligent
students of His Word!
The definition of slander is this: “The action of making a false spoken statement
that damages a person’s reputation.” A close cousin to slander is libel, which is a
published false statement that damages a person’s reputation.”
May I say that slander and libel are usually accompanied by malicious intent.
If you have ever been the victim of slander, and I have, you know the devastation
it can cause in your life. There are people important to me that to this very day
have a low opinion of me due to slander.
God’s word has a lot to say about slander. There are 27 verses in the NIV version
of the Bible that use the word slander. Leviticus 19:16 says, “Do not go about
spreading slander among your people. Do not do anything that endangers your
neighbor’s life. I am the LORD.” Slander endangers the life of the one slandered.
Slander is not only a sin against a person, but it is a sin against God. Slander is
listed in Colossians 3:8 along with some very ugly sins, “But now you must also rid
yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy
language from your lips.”
Proverbs 10:18 says, “Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander
is a fool.” And there is not much hope given in scripture for a fool.
If you are spreading slander, you need to stop and repent immediately! Your soul
is in great danger. Humble yourself before God and seek His mercy. He will forgive
you, but you must seek Him with all your heart. Then go and confess your slander
to the people to whom you spread the slander and to the person you slandered.
But remember, you will not be able to find everyone who has heard your slander,
for slander spreads everywhere like a feather pillow emptied onto the wind.