SLANDER is merely a symptom of something deeper going on in your life – when you choose to defame someone else:

• You are masking an insecurity or are masking or minimizing your own sin.
• You are passing judgment not only on the person, but the law as well. “Love your neighbor as you love yourself”
• You are ultimately judging and/or replacing God, ultimately placing yourself as authority on other’s lives.

Practically, how do we overcome the tendency to slander?

1. 10 second filter – anytime I am about to say anything defaming about someone else, count to 10 – by the time you get to 10, the moment will likely pass
2. Speak ONLY Blessings– Practice Ephesians 4:29 – speak only words that will build up others
3. Ask yourself, “Who will benefit from what I am about to say?”
4. Ask yourself, “Why am I saying this?” Begin to get introspective – what do you have to gain by lowering someone’s view of that person? What unhealthy thing is being fed by the slander of someone else
5. If they aren’t present, don’t say it. Pretty simple stuff here. You wouldn’t likely say it in their presence, so it’s really not worth saying.
6. If they are present and you have to whisper it, don’t say it.Psalm 41:7, Proverbs 16:28, Proverbs 26:22
7. There is a little truth in every sarcastic, joking remark.
8. Ask God to help you see the person the way he sees them, in light of the way he sees you. We are ALL broken. When you begin to see others as broken people and in need of mercy just like you do, it brings about a great deal of humility.
9. Instead of tearing down, build up. Be intentional to Look for the gold in others. It’s there. Ask God to open your eyes to their redeeming qualities

Ultimately, we are all needed in the Kingdom of God – you are better and more complete when every other person is living in their full potential – be ruthless against slander of any kind.