“What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander , arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” (Mark 7:20b-23)

In Mark 7:22 Jesus noted slander or blasphemy as a deadly defiling sin. When one speaks against another human being one is guilty of slander; when against God, it’s blasphemy. Destroying a person’s credibility and reputation also blasphemes God because everyone is made in his image. Slander often happens through the medium of gossip motivated by either jealousy or a desire to make oneself look good. It ultimately backfires but not without considerable pain and insult to both receiver and giver. Slander often separates close friends and causes irreparable damage to relationships. Serving leaders season their speech with grace and truth. They use their tongue to build up rather than to tear down and they also confront those who slander or transmit gossip. Serving leaders attempt to mitigate the damage done by standing up for the voiceless, by restoring the brokenhearted, and by bringing peace to those separated by conflict.

KEY QUESTIONS: Who have I built up recently through my words? With whom do I need to meet to repair relationships? Who do I need to confront regarding their words of slander or gossip? How else might I stand up for the voiceless, restore the brokenhearted, and bring peace to those separated by conflict?