No Laughing Matter

• When you hear something shocking about someone, do you believe it? Why or why not?

• Has anyone ever spread a false rumor about you? How did it (or would it) make you feel?

“ ‘Do not go about spreading slander among your people. Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the LORD.’ “
Leviticus 19:16

When you slander someone, you say something about them that isn’t true, something that damages their reputation. Slander is a form of lying, and it is a sin. Slander hurts people. For this reason, slander is illegal in many countries and states. It is certainly against God’s law. It is truly no laughing matter.

Slander can be a tricky monster. We may participate in slandering someone without even realizing we are doing it. What we think may be news about someone could be packed full of dangerous lies.

When you hear something about someone that may be shocking or strange, realize that there’s a very good chance that it isn’t true. Do not reward a gossiper by reacting to their gossip. You don’t even have to participate in the conversation. Walking away is always an option. And whatever you do, don’t repeat what you’ve heard. This never helps anyone, and it certainly doesn’t glorify God.

PRAYER
Dear God, please help us to think before we speak. Please help us to not gossip, to not tell lies and to never slander anyone. Amen.