SLANDER (βλασφημέω, G1059, slander; ἐγκαλέω, G1592, accuse; καταλαλέω, G2895, defame; κατηγορέω, G2989, bring charges against; ψευδομαρτυρέω, G6018, bear false witness). To accuse falsely, esp. in a judicial situation; to speak against one for whom God speaks.

The basic character of this sin is shown by its inclusion in the Decalógue (Exod 20:16), and also in the immediate context from which Christ quotes the second and great commandment (Lev 19:15-18; cf. Matt 19:19; 22:39; James 2:8). There love for one’s neighbor is characterized by not slandering him, but instead showing him justice without partiality.

That slander is against God’s wisdom is repeatedly stressed by Proverbs (9:13; 10:18; 18:8; 26:20-22). When it is against God’s messengers, it is against God Himself and is so punished (Num 14:36, where the reports of the Promised Land are spoken against; Rom 3:8, where false doctrine is imputed to Paul). It is placing human standards over God’s judgment, and is implicit blasphemy (James 4:11). It belongs in the category of those ultimate sins to which God gives men up (Rom 1:30, men slander the good and approve of the evil; cf. 2 Tim 3:3 for its eschatological character).

The great slanderer is Satan himself (διάβολος, G1333, =accuser). He attempts to alienate Job from his God. The Apocalypse describes him as the one who continually accuses the brethren (Rev 12:10). The deliberate false witness against Christ, particularly at His trial, must be seen in this context (Matt 26:59; cf. the command to Christ’s disciples to give true witness to Him). It is on Christ’s account that His followers are falsely accused (Matt 5:11), but when God has pronounced His judgment on the elect (justification), who dares bring any charge against them (Rom 8:33)?

Slander is opposed to the whole character of the Christian life, the love for the brethren (1 Pet 2:1). Instead of slandering, the believer must forgive, remembering how Christ has forgiven him (Eph 4:31, 32), and put on the new nature which is not characterized by lying, but which is renewed in knowledge after God’s image (Col 3:8-10).

See Truth; Ten Commandments; Justification; Satan.