It Starts Small

We are currently traveling through Psalms 15, in the Word of God as we search for how we pursue righteousness according to 1 Timothy 6:11. We first considered the meaning of righteousness and God’s righteousness. Now we look to David’s Psalm. Yesterday we looked at a question David asked and answered:

¹ Lord, who can dwell in your tent?
Who can live on your holy mountain?
² The one who lives blamelessly, practices righteousness,
and acknowledges the truth in his heart—

Psalm 15:1-2

We examined the meaning of how we acknowledge truth within our hearts. Today we are going to look at verse 3, but only part of it. David continues and says:

who does not slander with his tongue,
who does not harm his friend
or discredit his neighbor,

Psalm 15:3

The first thing David tells us about righteousness is that it does not slander. I paused thinking about this. No where in God’s Word, does God slander His people. God is righteousness and if we want Him to work it through us we have to put away slandering.

The second category for our own self examination is in our words. People who worship in God’s sanctuary and go into God’s presence are those who do not gossip. They do not gossip about their enemy, their family, their friends, co-workers, the pastor, the college professor, co-worker — about anyone or any situation.

What is gossip? What is slander? Is there a difference?

The Hebrew word used in this verse is rāḡal. It gives the idea to walk along; but only in specifically, applications, to reconnoiter, to be a tale-bearer (i.e. slander); to lead about:—backbite, search, slander, (e-) spy (out), teach to go, view.

There are some pretty strong definitions going on here: tale-bearer (liar), to lead others into back biting, searching for juicy details to slander, to teach others some detail about another that may or may not be true.

God’s Word is very clear on slandering.

Do not go about spreading slander among your people; do not jeopardize your neighbor’s life; I am the Lord.

Leviticus 19:16

God’s Word promises divide destruction to those who slander:

I will destroy anyone
who secretly slanders his neighbor;
I cannot tolerate anyone
with haughty eyes or an arrogant heart.

Psalm 101:5

Not only does God promise those who slander will be destroyed, but He also says a slanderer is a fool.

When there are many words, sin is unavoidable,
but the one who controls his lips is prudent.

Proverbs 10:21

The opposite of a prudent person is someone who is unwise. Proverbs speaks about how it is unwise to even associate with those who slander:

The one who reveals secrets is a constant gossip;
avoid someone with a big mouth.

Proverbs 20:19

God’s Word tells us the unrighteous are gossips!

They are filled with all unrighteousness, evil, greed, and wickedness. They are full of envy, murder, quarrels, deceit, and malice. They are gossips,

Romans 1:29

Paul and Peter speak about Gossiping and slander and repeatedly command us to repent of slander (Ephesians 4:31, Colossians 3:8, 2 Peter 2:1)We get the idea, slander is bad. It has always been bad. We should never tolerate it.

David says we need to continually word on our words and keep them in check. We need to adhere to Paul’s admonition: let no corruption come out of your mouth (Ephesians 4:29).

Today, lets think about the words we use and speak.

If you were to hear an entire recording of everything you had ever spoken, could you be put on trial for gossip and slander? When you are with others, are you comfortable with saying negative things about others?

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