Proverbs 10:18. He who conceals hatred has lying lips. And he who spreads slander is a fool.
We may not physically kill another human being but did you know that you could kill their reputation?
It is possible to destroy somebody else’s good name and, in so doing, do irreparable harm to an individual and his or her friendships, jobs, opportunities, and potential in life.
In Proverbs 10:18 we read: ‘Whoever spreads slander is a fool.’ Proverbs 11:9: ‘The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbour.’ In Isaiah 29:21 there is a reference to those who with a word, make a man out to be guilty. In Acts 13 from verse 4 onwards, we read of a certain sorcerer named Elymas. Paul the Apostle was explaining the gospel to a Roman proconsul by the name of Sergius Paulus and as Paul was sharing the gospel with him, the sorcerer was twisting everything around and turning the man’s mind away until finally Paul rebuked him and said:
‘O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord?’
God’s judgement fell upon him and struck him blind.
In Acts 14 we have an amazing account of Paul being acclaimed by the crowds because a miracle was performed. Shortly afterwards the very same crowd turned against him and stoned him because certain people came amongst them and used words to slander his name. In James 4:11-12 we read:
‘Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge … who are you to judge another?’
Slandering and speaking evil of people is a sin that we all find too easy to fall into. Yet it can cause untold hurt and damage.
Is there something you need to put right?
Prayer:
Pray your own prayer today and then do the right thing.