Brothers, do not slander one another… Who are you to judge your neighbor? (James 4:11, 12)
March 10, 2010
Brothers, do not slander one another… Who are you to judge your neighbor? (James 4:11, 12)
Romans 11
What harmony there would be in our homes if we didn't have such a problem with our tongues. But we're all guilty of uttering slander - false, damaging, judgmental statements about each other. Here are four (4) good reasons why we should not slander.
1. We are brothers and sisters in Christ. We are to avoid speaking ill of other
Christians even when their lifestyle is repulsive to us. Why? Because we are
related to them in Christ. Rather, Paul said that we are to "be devoted to one
another in brotherly love" (Romans 12:10). Phil. 2:3; Matt. 7:1, 2; Luke 6:37, 38
2. We are to be examples of love. Even if others are slandering, we are to
be examples of loving speech. You may experience pressure from others whose
tongues are not under control. And you may be tempted to speak against the
obvious faults of others. Perhaps family members, in-laws, church members,
or even pastors have offended you in some way. It is so easy to lash back at
them verbally. But slander is definitely not the will of God for His people.
Matt. 12:36, 37; John 13:34, 35
3. We are to submit to the Word of God. When we slander others, we mock
the Word of God. We may be obeying God's Word in other areas, but when we
disobey it in regard to slander, we have shown disrespect for it instead of
completely submitting to it. 2 Timothy 2:15; James 3:1-11
4. We are to humble ourselves before God as well as others. Why did James
write about slander right after the passage on pride (4:6-10)? Pride is often an
inflated feeling covering feelings of insecurity. One way to build up ourselves
is to tear down someone else with slander! James 4:6, 10-12; 1 Peter 5:5,6
Is there someone in your life whom you are tempted to speak against slanderously? Have you ever been slandered? How did it feel? How did you handle it? How do we as Christians slander? Perhaps this discussion isn't the most enjoyable, but it can be productive!
Psalm 19:14; Proverbs 13:3; Proverbs 18:7; Proverbs 18:21; Proverbs 20:19 NLT
Final thought: Proverbs 21:23; Colossians 4:1-6
