Slander

Acts 24:1–9 ESV

1 And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul. 2 And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: “Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation, 3 in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude. 4 But, to detain you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly. 5 For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6 He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him. 8 By examining him yourself you will be able to find out from him about everything of which we accuse him.” 9 The Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that all these things were so.

Introduction

Truth is something our world is practicing less and less.

We are changing the definition of truth to fit our own purposes.

We play lose with the truth.

We ignore the truth.

We use truth when it suits us.

Misrepresenting truth to attack another persons character and reputation is what is happening to Paul in Caesarea...

Slanderer - one who attacks the reputation of another by slander or libel.

This is what Tertuillus is...

The Bible calls them revilers; abusive and railers ...

1 Corinthians 5:11 ESV

11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.

1 Corinthians 6:9–10 ESV

9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

Slander condemned

Slander is sinful

Mark 7:21–23 ESV

21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

See also Je 9:4–6; Eze 22:9; Ro 1:29–31; 2 Co 12:20; 2 Ti 3:2–4

Slander is forbidden

Leviticus 19:16 ESV

16 You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord.

Colossians 3:8 ESV

8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.

See also Ex 23:1; Pr 3:30; Pr 10:18; Pr 12:22; Eph 4:31; Col 3:8; Tt 2:3; Tt 3:1–2; Jas 4:11; 1 Pe 2:1

Slander is destructive

Proverbs 16:27 ESV

27 A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.

See also Pr 11:9; Pr 26:28; Pr 30:10

Dealing with slander

Committing one’s cause to God

Psalm 120:1–2 ESV

1 In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. 2 Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue.

See also Ps 12:1–7; Ps 31:14–20; Ps 64:1–4; Ps 69:6–21; Ps 109:1–5

Maintaining one’s integrity

1 Peter 2:12 ESV

12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

See also Ps 119:23; 1 Pe 2:15; 1 Pe 3:9; 1 Pe 3:15–17

Rejoicing in the Lord

Matthew 5:11–12 ESV

11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

See also Ac 5:41

Not listening to slander

1 Samuel 24:9 ESV

9 And David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Behold, David seeks your harm’?

Proverbs 17:4 ESV

4 An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.

See also Pr 17:4

Judgment upon slanderers

Proverbs 21:28 ESV

28 A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears will endure.

1 Corinthians 6:9–10 ESV

9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

See also Dt 22:13–19; Pr 19:5; Pr 19:9; Pr 21:28; Is 29:20–21; Is 51:7–8; 1 Co 6:9–10

God’s Plan of Salvation

Hear His truth

Matthew 7:24–27 ESV

24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

Believe His Truth

Hebrews 11:6 ESV

6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Repent and Turn to the Truth

Acts 17:30 ESV

30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,

Confess the Truth

1 Timothy 6:12 ESV

12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Be Baptized according to Truth

Acts 22:16 ESV

16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’

Remain Steadfast to the Truth

1 Corinthians 10:12 ESV

12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.