Slander

My daughter once called home distressed because a classmate claimed George Washington had fathered fourteen illegitimate children and died of venereal disease pure slander without a shred of evidence. I reminded her that such lies arise because depraved people delight in dragging the righteous down to their own level, just as Solomon said, “As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly” (Prov. 26:11). Those who love dirt smear everything they touch. Scripture warns that “death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Prov. 18:21), and our Lord declares that every idle word will be judged (Matt. 12:36). Before repeating slander or indulging in careless talk, remember: words may seem cheap, but their consequences are not are you prepared to pay their price?