Slander from the Heart
.
Slander from the Heart
Slander is purposefully making false statements with the intent of doing deep damage to someone else. Hence, it is acting out the hatred in one’s heart. Jesus said that slander and other sins come from the heart — and that is why all these sins defile a person.
To defile is to make foul, dirty, or filthy — to pollute. So, choosing to slander — to let slander come out from from one’s heart — is to make one’s self foul and filthy.
Jesus’ explanation of defilement is in Mark 7:20-23,
And He was saying, “That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts and fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness.
All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.”
Every kind of sin comes from the heart. Every sin defiles us — makes us foul and filthy. But, people sometimes tend to think they can get away with slander because more false words might cover it up. Since God knows all things, no one can ever hide anything from Him. Therefore, Paul instructs all Christians in Ephesians 4:31-32,
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
When Paul instructed the new Colossian Christians, he again mentioned the sin of slander. In Colossians 3:5-8 Paul wrote,
Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is on account of these things that the wrath of God will come, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.
But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.
When Paul pointed out the problems the Ephesians and Colossians were having with slander and other sins, he was not slandering them — because he was being truthful about the challenges they were facing in learning to live as Christ wants us to live.
Seeing a problem and lovingly speaking up about it in an effort to help and save is what God wants His children to do for each other. Because we all face challenges every day in taking a stand for Christ, we need to help each other and watch over our own weaknesses, lest we ourselves fall.
That is why Paul valiantly stood up for the truths of God and told the Corinthian Christians in 2 Corinthians 13:5-6,
Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you — unless indeed you fail the test?
But I trust that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test.
Paul’s love for Christ and his fellowmen made him a bold preacher. Paul’s love for Christ also caused him to always examine his own self. He wanted to always be sure he honestly was living in a God-pleasing manner, while leading others to a sure salvation in Christ.
If Paul would have just let these people continue in their sinful lifestyle, he would not have had an honest love for them. Love urged Paul to lead these people to live Christ-like lives. Paul’s love made him a bold preacher of God’s truths.
Such love should be appreciated because God does use people to help people.
As we see God’s loving hand in our lives, let us say, “Hallelujah! Our Lord and Savior cares for us every step of the way.”
Love,
Margaret
.
A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and GOD of gods.
Pray for our country.
**************
.
The LORD made this day, let us rejoice and be glad in Him.
Psalm 118:24
.
The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 18:30
.
Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming to the upright.
Psalm 33:1
.
How blessed are those who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4
.
Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13
.
O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1
.
Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3
.
**************
.
Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12
.
…………
.
.
.
.
Comments are closed.