Does Not Slander

"He who does not slander with his tongue..." Psalm 15:3a

The word slander, here, combines a couple of meanings together. It means to backbite, slander, and "tale bear"....but it also means to scout and spy...and to lead about, teach to go.

Can you see how this goes together? This word not only means to say mean things/lies...it means to look for bad things to say and to lead others into your trap - to lead them on in your opinions. That is pretty much the meaning of being a tale bearer. Taking stories on the road and leading others to believe them. You may recognize it more as the word gossip.

This is such a huge temptation for women. God specifically warns young women about this temptation in 1 Timothy 5 as Paul gives instructions to the church on how to treat young widows:

"Besides, they get into
the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not
only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying
things they ought not to. So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander. Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan." 1 Timothy 5:13-16

I can remember years that I was so lonely for adult conversation. I had a lot to do at home, but not much of it was intellectually stimulating. A day full of Sesame Street and conversations with two year olds, leaves a gaping hole in a woman's need for relationship. I remember how excited I would get if the phone would ring. Getting to go for a play date at another mom's house was like a trip to a day spa.

Those relational times are a blessing from God...but sometimes, when we are starving for adult conversation, we can easily find ourselves discussing things that damage others. We never mean to go there. We often preface stories and comments with, "I don't want to be a gossip..."  But really, we are. period.

Ever been there? Man, I have!

With the kids: As much as I need to guard myself against gossip, I've learned I need to guard my kids. Almost as soon as they are old enough to make friends and talk, they are old enough to complain about a child and tell their siblings or another friend how mean so and so is and all the things they've done to make them mad. I've gotten pretty serious around here about shutting down conversations where one of my kids is slandering another child...for any reason. Sometimes my kids are being truthful. That other child does use bad words and is disrespectful, but it doesn't make it right lead others along in their opinions that are hurtful to that child. Make sense?

Memorizing: 

¹LORD, WHO shall dwell [temporarily] in Your tabernacle? Who shall dwell [permanently] on Your holy hill?

    ²He who walks and lives uprightly and blamelessly, who works rightness and justice and speaks and thinks the truth in his heart,

    ³He who does not slander with his tongue,

Psalm 15 (Amplified Bible)