The Law in 90 Days: Deuteronomy 21-22
RESTORING Relationships
Leviticus 19:16; You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand
up against the life of your neighbour: I am the LORD.
To slander is to speak falsely about someone with a malicious intent to defame, or disgrace their
character. The spread of rumours would classify as slanderous: “Well, I heard from her brother’s
brother-in-law that she…” Such talk is unfounded and unnecessary, convenient only for spreading lies.
When we speak of things we have not heard firsthand, we are slandering our brother, and in doing so,
we maim the image of Christ. It is slanderous to speak to people of the opinions we have developed
about others. Quite often, these opinions are judgments due to our own insecurities, hurts and fears.
And covering these slander-sessions by saying we are “confiding in our friends” does not make us
innocent before the Lord. We should tremble to know that our God hears everything we say. And
neither does God does honour the “prayer requests” that are shared with the intent to slander.
It’s interesting that God couples slander with deliberate acts that endanger your neighbour’s life. But
it’s true isn’t it? We see it far too often in cases of alleged sexual abuse. One false accusation from
a malicious accuser can damage the life of the accused forever. Slander stands up against the life of
those whom we speak against.
We need to be men and women of integrity, who do not ruin our relationships with slander. Abraham
Lincoln said: “Truth is generally the best vindication against slander.” Our God is the God of truth. He
loves truth and He rejoices when the truth rings out. We need to be truth-bearers. We need to be the
first to refute slander and speak truth about people in order to build them up. If we spent half as much
time praying for people as we do slandering them, imagine how God would work!
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. Ask God to show you specific instances where you have slandered people. Ask Him to show you
the damage it has done and repent.
2. Who are the people you slander. Take time to pray for them now; commit to praying for them
when the temptation to slander arises.
3. Is there a relationship in your life that has been ruined by slander? Ask God how He wants you to
make it right on your part.
