When you hear evil reports spread about you, the immediate urge is to respond in like manner. Yet biting a snake back is just a good way to get further hurt and entangled in sin. The faithful believer “does not slander with his tongue” (Ps. 15:1). 

Slander is one of the most insidious sins of all. Deliberately spreading lies and falsehoods against someone to ruin their life, reputation, and relationships is a great evil. When this sin occurs in the context of church and ministry, the impact is even more pronounced. Satan, the serpent he is, loves to poison minds and create division within the kingdom of God.

In the Digital Age, the ease of communication can cause slander to spread at an exponential rate. FaceTime, WhatsApp, Zoom, texts, emails, etc., fly around at the speed of light. The relatively secretive nature of these forms of communication also removes precautions that might ordinarily slow someone down. After all, in a generation, we have gone from having to drive to see someone, pay per minuter for long-distance calls, or put a stamp on an envelope to interact with those who live at a distance from us; now, we are able in real-time to communicate with anyone around the world.

Though this post could serve as a warning against slander, instead, it addresses what to do if you believe you are a victim of this sin. Recently, in teaching a class on preaching from the Psalms, I had students prepare messages from those Psalms that reflected David’s life. We noted that David was often the victim of slander. In looking at how he dealt with it, five helpful principles emerge for handling slander, as one might do with a venomous snake.

Guard your mouth against your own poisonous speech.

When you hear evil reports spread about you, the immediate urge is to respond in like manner. Yet biting a snake back is just a good way to get further hurt and entangled in sin. The faithful believer “does not slander with his tongue” (Ps. 15:1). The godly person knows that David’s words are the proper way of holiness.

I said, “I will keep watch over my ways
So that I do not sin with my tongue;
I will keep watch over my mouth as with a muzzle
While the wicked are in my presence.”
(Ps. 39:1)

As Spurgeon said, “Think much, but say little; be quick at work and slow at talk; and above all, ask the great Lord to set a watch over your lips.” You must muzzle your mouth to have time to “watch over your ways” in the following manner.

Ask the Lord to search you for hurtful ways.

Psalm 139 is known for its beautiful words regarding the Lord’s ever-present, all-knowing ways with the believer. Whether one flees to heaven or the depths of the sea, the Lord is with us. He formed us in our mother’s womb, so he knows what our inmost being is like and what we need. Yet the comforting words of this psalm are set in the context of evil men surrounding him with wicked speech.

If only You would put the wicked to death, God;
Leave me, you men of bloodshed.
For they speak against You wickedly,
And Your enemies take Your name in vain.
(Ps. 139:19-20)

David then asks the Lord the following at the end of the psalm.

Search me, God, and know my heart;
Put me to the test and know my anxious thoughts;
And see if there is any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way.
(Ps. 139:23-24)

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