The Slanderer in Secret

For Wednesday June 15, 2005
Proverbs 10:18

And for the one who conceals hatred with lying lips
And who publishes an injurious report, he is a fool

Slander functions most effectively when it comes out of concealment. Secret sources, details of personal conversations and reports of unnamed witnesses lend an air of secrecy and mystery to a matter that can make it all the more compelling.

A later proverb (18:8) warns of the destructive effect gossip has on the recipient. Even though you might think you can reserve judgment on an uncorroborated report, the very nature of the gossip will color your relations with the one slandered. This is the intention of the slanderer, to injure and destroy the reputation of another.

It always seems like there are grey areas involved with speech and gossip. We can shade the truth in ways that are deceptive, and there are deceptions that seem to be necessary for getting along in the world. As always, the intentions of the heart are key. If we harbor hatred in our heart, we are willing to entertain all manner of claims about the object of our hatred unfounded or not, and we justify our passing them on even if its really none of our business.

(translation from Bruce Waltke Book Of Proverbs: Chapters 1-15 (NICOT))