Why Do We Slander?Näide

Slander and friendships?

Why do so many schools (even Christian ones) have so many problems with bullying? Why do many kids, online and in real life, pick on their classmates, making cruel jokes about their looks, their weight, and everything else? Why is slander so tempting even to the grown-up sons and daughters of God?

Because—this is sad to admit—it bonds us. When “we” have an inside joke about her, when “we” repeat that rumor about them, when “we” speculate about what he is probably like at home, those words bond us. The wink, the nod, the knowing look, being on the inside with the cool kids (even if you’re fully grown) is a powerful temptation.

In middle school, in middle age, and in all the years that follow, words bond people together, but please fight the temptation to bond over the kind of words you would never want to be spoken about you. Many of you have a gift to connect people via your way with words. Let’s pray that only happens God’s way.

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:31-32). Why do we fight the temptation to slander? Why put in the hard work to be kind? Because in Christ, God has been so kind to us.

Slander slays unity and peace. Kindness repairs and restores relationships. May God help you resist the former and embrace the latter!

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