[… rid yourselves of] … slander …
Summary: By following each step in Paul’s thinking, we discover that he has something very specific in mind.
Let’s go back and review the whole verse so far:
“But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander …”
Paul is painting a portrait of a slave to SELF. When we put our self-interest above God and others, we will always find things that offend us. The rest of the world is only interested in pleasing themselves, so since my SELF is most important (to me), it is very irritating when other people do not share my concern for my own happiness.
Paul’s words illuminate the progression of emotion that follows frustration.
When the self is frustrated, that causes anger.
Anger unsatisfied can lead to rage.
Rage, when it turns inward, sours into malice.
Malice, that malevolent desire to cause others to suffer, finds expression in slander.
To slander someone is to hurt them with words. If people believe the slander, the hurt can be real.
Anger we can hide. Rage can be stifled. Malice can simmer behind a fake smile.
Slander, when it bursts forth from the blackness of a heart filled with hate it is impossible to take back. Slander crosses a line. The damage is done and …
This is the point where a person might have second thoughts about what they just did.
When we actually cause someone else to be hurt, there is a chance they might hurt us back. Guilt wells up and clouds our thinking. Fear lurks in the shadows of our minds. Without the humility that comes with knowing God, we rationalize our actions and unconsciously build walls around our hearts.
The only way out of this doom loop is Jesus.
Jesus forgives, and he teaches us to forgive others. Then, he shows us how to ask forgiveness for what we have done.
Sometimes, others forgive, and other times they don’t.
What matters is that we obey Jesus.
Application: Avoid the whole situation and get rid of slander.
Food for Thought: How is slander like a fire? (James 3:5)
Lost all cable for about a week, Good to be back online.
How is slander like a fire?
James 3:5, “Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth,”
James contrasts the smallness of the tongue with the magnitude of trouble it can produce, which serves as call for believers to watch their words. Just as a small spark can ignite a large fire, seemingly insignificant words can lead to significant, often negative, consequences. The “butterfly effect” in chaos theory, where a small change can lead to significant differences in outcome, is a scientific parallel to this metaphor.
Proverbs 18:21: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
Matthew 12:36: “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.”
Ephesians 4:29: “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
Welcome back, Ron! You’ve been missed!!
I find your post strangely encouraging. In the same way that a malicious slip of the tongue can cause destruction, I wonder if it is also true that injecting God’s grace into a situation has a similar effect.
I believe you are spot on! A small word of encouragement at an appropriate time can lift the heaviest burden.
🙂
Good response R2T2.
I think you answered the question to some degree in the question itself. By pointing to James 3: 5, we see that a fire can quickly get out of control and do immense damage. It also spreads fast. The recent fires in CA are a tragic reminder of that reality. James points to fire as an apt metaphor for the power of the tongue and thus the power of slander.
There is something else we can do with our tongue which is much better and reveals the influence of the Holy Spirit as opposed to the influence of our sinful nature and the world.
Ephesians 4: 29: Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Great Rich, Those busy allowing Christ to spread good will have no time or desires for starting fires.
Thank you, Brother!
Ephesians 4:29 is a lovely verse and very appropriate!
I think Ron and Rich did a good job answering the question.
I would add that, like with a fire, the destruction slander brings can be long-lasting. Simple words can destroy a life, just like a small fire can grow out of control, and destroy entire communities.
Proverbs 11:9 With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.
Sorry, that was me (CH)
Thanks, Chris!
Unfortunately, to the unbeliever, your words are absolutely true. As believers we have God’s promise that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)