The Slander or Rumours are destructive; they bring conflicts and separations, casting shadows on people’s lives and produce severe discomfort, they are always a diabolical machination. They are informations told in a distorted or false way, real or invented news, disclosed with wrong motives, that spread suspicion and that induce the listener to get a bad opinion of another person. They are a talk that undermines the credibility,the image and the reputation of one or more persons.
James 3,1-12 1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.3 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
Expose yourself to the rumours it is like an exposure to a virus, sooner or later you’ll get contaminated.
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How not to get contaminated: We are not ignorant of his devices.
2Corinthians 2,11 11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
They are a device of the Devil and so we have to stay far away from them.
Job 15,2-3 2 Should a wise man utter vain knowledge, and fill his belly with the east wind?3 Should he reason with unprofitable talk? or with speeches wherewith he can do no good?
PSalms 1,11 1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Romans 16,17-18 17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
Proverbs 12,13 13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.
Proverbs 17,27 27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
The motivations of a slanderer who sows rumours are:
*Bitterness, usually produced by personal injuries.
*Deception, believing that it is not a sin to defame, because you are darkened by sin.
*The Sense of Guilt; have done something wrong and do not want to admit it,leads to distort the facts.
*Jealousy and envy for what people are or what people have, bring them to become the subject of the rumour.
*The sense of omnipotence into seeing that the rumors have produced the effect desired.
James 3,14-18 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
What does the Word of God say to these people:
Psalms 101,5-7 5 Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.6 Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.7 He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.8 I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.
2Timothy 3,1-7 1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
How to recognize a calumny and a slanderer? by making a few questions:
1) Why do you talk like this of this person?
2) What is the source of this information?
3) Have you talked before with people you are accusing?
4 °) Are you sure of the facts you’re talking about or are you talking hearsay?
5 °) If I speak of these things I can mention your name?
6°) May I tell this to the person you’re talking about?
Proverbs 18,8 8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
Proverbs 16,27-28 27 An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
Proverbs 14,15 15 The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.
Proverbs 17,4 4 A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
How to get out of the contamination of the rumours: We turn our thoughts into those of Christ.
Romans 12,2 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
James 5,16 16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
We have to submit every thought to the purity of the Word of God.
2Corinthians 10,5 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Philippians 4,8 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Galatians 6,1 1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
The correct behavior.
Matthew 18,15-20 15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Leviticus 19,16 16 Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD.
I have not added many notes, but I let the Word of God to explain things by itself, on the principle of “Thus saith the Lord” – “It is written”
Peter 1,20 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
Pastor Enrico Bonistalli
