Don’t Get Caught Up in This Season of Slander
Election years always seem to stir up strife, debate, arguing and, unfortunately, a season of slander. I’m not sure if we take our cues from the politicians, but Christians also get involved in a lot of slander and name calling.
We know this isn’t Christ-like, we know God’s Word teaches us a different way, but it seems election year emotions cause us to disregard God’s Word and jump in the political fight. God tells us in 2 Timothy 2:23 (MEV), “avoid foolish and unlearned debates, knowing that they create strife.” We know this, but we’ll jump right into the political argument on social media, with the allusion we are actually changing the course of the election.
This article is to warn us to guard ourselves from slander during this season. Second Timothy 3:1–2 (MEV) says, “Know this: In the last days perilous times will come. Men will be … unloving, unforgiving, slanders, without self-control.” This Scripture is a perfect description of the time we live in. The atmosphere we live in is saturated with attitudes of disrespect, lawlessness, and rebellion.
It doesn’t take an expert in spiritual discernment to see that we are in one of those seasons, people are upset, emotional and the landscape is ripe for lies and slander to take place. That’s my warning for the body of Christ. Guard and protect yourself from slander during this election cycle.
If you must get your point across on social media, then do so, but stick to the facts and make your case in a conversational tone instead of a combative one. Why? Because if you push too hard, yell to loud, argue too much, you may find yourself the victim of demonic slander and attacks that will affect your family, ministry or job.
Webster’s Dictionary says the meaning of slander is to make a false statement that causes people to have a bad opinion of someone. The Bible teaches that Satan is the accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10). The Bible also says that the devil is the father of all lies (John 8:44).
The devil loves to come up with slanderous lies in order to damage someone’s character and hinder their effectiveness in the kingdom of God. Lucifer was able to use slander concerning Jesus in order to turn popular opinion against Him. Satan used Judas and the Pharisees to create a mob that chose Barabbas, a convicted thief over Jesus; knowing they had no evidence to honestly prosecute Jesus. If Lucifer can do that to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, we need to be careful not to open a door to slander (Eph. 4:27)
If you do find yourself the victim of slander, there is some good news in God’s Word for you to turn to and put your faith in. When we walk in love and forgiveness, then when we are slandered, everything spoken against us will come against our accuser.
The story of Esther and Mordecai is an absolutely amazing account of God taking a slandered servant, turning his life around and taking vengeance on his accuser. Mordecai refused to bow or pay homage to Haman, the highest ranking official in King Ahasuerus’s government, and so Haman’s pride caused him to desire the destruction of Mordecai and all of the Jews (Esth. 3:13).
Haman constructs a hanging noose in his front yard for Mordecai, slanders him and devises a wicked plan to entrap him (Esth. 5:14). The entire plan backfires on Haman, he ends up in the noose hung for Mordecai and Mordecai moves into Haman’s house and takes over his possessions and position (Esth. 7:8–8:2).
This is Bible principle, evil spoken against a child of God will come back on the slanderer when we are walking in the light of God’s Word (1 John 1:7–9).
In the story of Balaam, wicked King Balak saw that Israel was growing mightily so he feared them (Numbers 22:1–2). Balak hires Balaam to curse Israel so that he might be able to defeat them. Every time Balaam opened his mouth to curse Israel, God prompted a word of blessing to come out of his mouth (Num. 24:1).
Numbers 23:19–20 (MEV) says, “God is not a man, that He should lie … He has blessed, and I cannot reverse it.” In other words, what God has blessed, no man can curse and if they try to curse you or slander you, because of the blessing of God is pronounced on you, it will all return to your accuser. Everything that they spoke against you is coming back on them! God’s blessing is a curse blocker!
That’s another good reason to pray for your enemies, because we should actually pity what they are pronouncing on themselves and pray for God’s mercy on their lives. As we walk in love, stay in forgiveness, live a Christ-like life, God’s blessing will block every word spoken against us.
“No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment, you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their vindication is from Me, says the Lord” (Is. 54:17, MEV). {eoa}
Steve Trexler is presently serving as an itinerant minister and is on staff at Kenneth Hagin Ministries in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Steve pastored for over 18 years and is the author of Gathering God’s Promises, Name Droppers and God’s Personality Test, which can be found at his website, www.fhctn.com. You may also contact Steve at [email protected].
