So put away all malice and
all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 1 Peter 2:1
Slander
is gossip on steroids. To slander is to make a false and damaging
statement about someone. Both slander and gossip have their roots in
selfishness, and both can destroy people and relationships. Here’s how it
works:
Beth
heard that her colleague Jane was up for the next promotion. Jealous, she
shared that news with others in the office over lunch, and they took turns
picking apart Jane and her inferior qualities. That is gossip. And it’s wrong.
But when Beth shared her opinions about Jane’s unworthiness with the hiring
manager—including casting suspicion on Jane’s financial situation and parenting
struggles--gossip became slander. Jane’s personal life had nothing to do with
whether or not she should be considered for the job, but Beth’s motive was to
make Jane appear less qualified, whether her assertions were true or not.
Either way, her suggestions were enough to cast a negative shadow over Jane’s
character. That is slander. God makes it clear that our motivation for
everything must be love. While gossip and slander harm the reputations of
others, love guards them. While gossip and slander find the faults, love finds
the good. When love rules our conversations, we stay clear of slander
How much of your “sharing
of information” may actually be slanderous?
.
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