Day 9 - The Slandering Tongue

Slander - to deliberately lie in order to cause harm, to defame.
I think a lot of us attribute this use of the tongue to a select group of people. Like politicians for example, the last election I had a hard time favoring certain parties who seemed to use most of their advertising slandering other parties.
I don't think any of us are exempt from being tempted to put another down with intent to harm. Those who may be weak and insecure could fall into this temptation in order to feel stronger.
The irony is that their intent to damage someone's image does not enhance their own, quite the opposite I have found.
God's word has great wisdom for someone who wants to keep their conscience clear without defaming others.
1 Peter 3:15,16 ' But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.'
Ephesians 4:31,32 ' Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.'
Remember when our mothers used to say, if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all! We would do well to heed this advice.
As Deborah Pegue comments, 'We can be assured there won't be any slanderers in heaven.'
Psalm 15:1-3 'Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman.'
The author says, ' Since God has secured our destiny and has promised to avenge all wrongs perpetrated against us, why engage in slander? I find it interesting that the Greek word for "slander" is derived from diabolos, which means " devil". Slandering is an illegal, diabolical act that God abhors. Be careful what you sow with your words.'
Once you change your thinking, your words and actions will follow. So think on good things.
Speaking the Truth
Philippians 4:8 'Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right; whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.'

Excerpts from 30 Days to Taming Your Tongue by Deborah Smith Pegues (Harvest House Publishers 2005). Autographed copy of the book and workbook available at www.confrontingissues.com.