[… 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)
Please click ‘’Continue Reading” for comments.
Continue reading “Colossians 3:8e – Doom Loop”