Slander is often seen as a minor sin because it is usually done quietly. A calm remark can make it seem harmless, yet beneath the surface, a serious danger may be developing. Slander is not a minor slip of the tongue; it stems from harmful intent. It can damage reputations and create deep divisions within communities, including our own congregations and churches.
The word slander comes from the Anglo-French esclandre, which relates to the Latin scandalum, meaning a stumbling block or a cause of offense. In English, it appears as early as the late 13th century as slaundre. However, the concept itself goes much further back.
The First Slander
In the Garden of Eden, we encounter what the first act of slander is. The figure known as Satan, whose Hebrew name means “accuser,” serves as a false prosecutor. He challenges God’s truthfulness by saying, “You will not surely die,” directly contradicting God’s declaration. He also casts doubt on God’s character, suggesting that God was withholding something good from Adam and Eve, namely the knowledge of good and evil. How serious is slander? Consider what happened when Adam and Eve listened to it. They were confronted with a choice in exercising their free will, and in that moment, humanity fell.
Throughout biblical history, we see slander used as a destructive tool, whether for personal revenge, the pursuit of power, or the defamation of God’s servants. Consider Joseph: he was falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife, who used slander to conceal her own sin and wounded pride. As a result, he was imprisoned.
David also suffered greatly from slander. King Saul accused him of seeking to seize the throne. Because of Saul’s fear and false accusations, David was forced to flee for years. He describes the emotional toll of these attacks in Psalm 31:13: “For I hear the slander of many; fear is on every side; while they take counsel together against me, they scheme to take away my life.” Slander brought him deep distress and constant anxiety. Later, even his own son, Absalom, undermined him through deceit and damaging words.
The apostle Paul also endured slander from both inside and outside his circle. Some questioned his authority as an apostle, while others accused him of teaching against the Law of Moses and of defiling the Temple by bringing Gentiles into it. He even had to defend himself against accusations of financial dishonesty (2 Corinthians 12:16).
The Abrahamic Covenant
Let us consider one more example of slander that directly relates to our global situation today. We recall how the adversaries, the Samaritans, through Sanballat and Tobiah, sent “open letters” during Nehemiah’s time. These letters were meant to be publicly read, accusing the Jewish people of planning a revolt and of rebuilding the wall to make Nehemiah king.
This was no small sin. On the surface, it may have appeared to be a political maneuver to halt the work and preserve Samaritan regional power and economic interests. Yet, whether intentional or not, they were also attempting to hinder the restoration of the Jewish people in the Land, an essential component of the Abrahamic covenant. If the people remained and the wall was completed, Jerusalem would be restored, and the Temple rebuilt, preparing the way for the coming of the Messiah. We see Satan’s underlying goal here.
Today, slander against the Jewish people and against Israel continues in many forms. Accusations persist that Jews control financial systems or the media. There is a distortion of the Holocaust, minimizing or delegitimizing its reality. There are also frequent double standards, where Israel is uniquely singled out for human rights violations while abuses elsewhere are overlooked. At times, Jewish people or the State of Israel are blamed for broader global crises, such as the present US-Iran war and the closing of the Strait of Hormuz. Such narratives fuel hostility and, in some cases, echo calls for Israel’s destruction.
From a biblical perspective, this kind of slander ultimately aligns with opposition to God’s covenantal purposes and His redemptive plan. Slander, especially when widespread, can have far-reaching and destructive effects.
Our responsibility
Slandering people is an affront to God’s creation. Scripture calls us to a different path: to fear God and reject every form of perverted speech. We are to examine our hearts and test our motives in all that we hear and repeat.
Slander is not merely a sin; it is described in strong terms in Scripture. It is considered an abomination. Proverbs identifies several forms of harmful speech among what God hates, including a lying tongue, a false witness, and one who sows discord among others.
Other passages reinforce this:
- Avoid corrupt speech (Ephesians 4:29)
- Do not spread false reports (Leviticus 19:16)
- Do not speak evil against one another (James 4:11)
We are therefore called to stop the spread of slander; in our family unit, in our larger community, and on global issues, especially when dealing with false news concerning Israel. We must confront it when necessary, examine it carefully, and respond with truth and wisdom. When possible, we should seek restoration with kindness and grace.
Grace can serve as a shield, bringing healing to those who have been wronged. Many biblical figures like Joseph, David, and Paul endured unjust accusations. Yet God upheld them. Let us also remember the salvific grace we ourselves have received, even when falsely accused by Satan. May that same grace shape how we respond to others.