At Psalm 15:3, another quality of the spiritually strong person is "He … backbiteth not with his tongue." In the Online Etymology Dictionary, backbiting is defined as "the sin of secretly attacking one's character or reputation through envy."
While backbiting includes "secretly attacking," or lying about another person, it is not limited to private settings; rather, it is something that is done behind that person's back. In the Oxford Dictionary, backbiting is "malicious talk about someone who is not present." Backbiting is not a term we often use in our modern vernacular; however, it is a very visual term for slander.
Slander is primarily a product of ENVY. Envy is jealousy "gone to seed." If we do not address the jealousy that we have of another persons accomplishments or possessions, we can become envious of them, desiring that they fail at any cost—even to the point of blatantly lying about their character and actions.
Slander is possibly a product of SELFISHNESS. While envy certainly includes selfishness, selfishness does not always include envy. It is possible to slander another person's character out of pure selfishishness.
In other words, you may not have a personal vendetta against the person. You may not even have personal dealings with the person. But out of your purely selfish desire for gain, you may choose to slander them. This can definitely be seen in the political realm, and it is often found in the workplace.
Slander is progressively a product of IGNORANCE. Envy and selfishness are matters of the heart that must be addressed. However, when someone who is generally a good person spreads lies about others swiftly, publicly, and exponentially, it is often a product of ignorance, and sometimes laziness. It is very easy today to click "share" or "retweet" a statement, an infographic, a meme, an article that is filled with lies and slander; yet, we might do it, thinking we are completely innocent.
Such ignorance and lack of investigation is detrimental to a good person's soul, the people they influence, and the people they represent. There are many lies about people, products, and organizations floating around the internet and social media that have been spread by good people who did not thoroughly investigate the matter. Incidentally, ignorance and lack of investigation are also to be blamed for many who follow religious error.
It is very rare, unfortunately, that someone would approach a person face-to-face to address, or sort out, a claim about said person (cf. Matthew 5:23–25; 18:15–19), yet it is the right thing to do. As we said previously, let us be truth-filled and truth-motivated!
For further study, see Psalm 15; Romans 1:30; 2 Corinthians 12:20; Leviticus 19:16; James 4:11; 1 Peter 2:1, 12; 3:16; 1 Timothy 3:11; 2 Timothy 3:3; Titus 2:3.
Clifton Angel preaches for the Coldwater church of Christ in Coldwater, MS. For free Bible Correspondence Courses and In-Person Bible Studies, Emailus@coldwatercofc.com, or call us at 662-622-7951
