Paul’s letter to the Ephesians contains instructions for how Christians should live. In Ephesians 4:31, Paul writes, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.” Here, Paul instructs believers to put away sins like bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander. The Greek word translated as “slander” is blasphemia, which means evil or abusive speech. This provides insight into what Paul meant by instructing Christians to avoid “evil speaking.”
Definition of Evil Speaking
At its most basic level, evil speaking refers to speech that is harmful, corrupt, or malignant in some way. It involves using words in a destructive manner to damage someone’s reputation, mislead others, or stir up trouble. Synonyms for evil speaking include backbiting, malice, slander, defamation, libel, reviling, and cursing. In short, it covers any speech aimed at harming others or spreading falsehoods about them.
What Does the Bible Say About Evil Speaking?
Beyond the Ephesians passage, the Bible condemns evil speaking in many places:
- Psalm 34:13 – “Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.”
- Psalm 41:5-6 – “My enemies speak evil of me: When will he die and his name perish? And when he comes to see me, he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers iniquity to itself; when he goes out, he tells it.”
- Psalm 50:19-20 – “You give your mouth free rein for evil, and your tongue frames deceit. You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother’s son.”
- Psalm 101:5 – “Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly I will destroy. Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure.”
- Proverbs 6:16-19 – “There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.”
- Proverbs 10:31-32 – “The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.”
- Proverbs 26:20 – “For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.”
- Jeremiah 9:4-5 – “Let everyone beware of his neighbor, and put no trust in any brother, for every brother is a deceiver, and every neighbor goes about as a slanderer. Everyone deceives his neighbor, and no one speaks the truth; they have taught their tongue to speak lies; they weary themselves committing iniquity.”
- Matthew 15:19 – “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.”
- Romans 1:29-30 – “They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents…”
- Ephesians 4:31 – “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.”
- Colossians 3:8 – “But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.”
- 1 Timothy 3:11 – “Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things.”
- Titus 2:3 – “Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good…”
- James 4:11 – “Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law.”
- 1 Peter 2:1 – “So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.”
As these verses demonstrate, Scripture consistently condemns evil speaking as sinful. God hates it when people use their words to destroy others.
Types of Evil Speaking
The Bible identifies several different manifestations of evil speaking:
Slander
Slander involves making false and damaging statements about someone. It is speaking maliciously to hurt another’s reputation.
Gossip
Gossip is sharing information about others, often confidentially. While gossip may seem harmless on the surface, it can quickly delve into slander.
Cursing
Cursing means calling down harm on someone, often by invoking higher powers. Cursing demonstrates hatred and bitterness toward others.
Reviling
Reviling is insulting, berating, and showing contempt for others. It reflects a heart filled with pride and arrogance.
Backbiting
Backbiting refers to malicious talk about someone who is absent. It often involves criticizing them behind their back.
Libel
Libel is publishing a false statement that damages someone’s reputation in writing. It is a permanent form of slander.
Defamation
Defamation is making false claims that injure someone’s reputation, a broad term that covers both libel and slander.
Why Does God Forbid Evil Speaking?
God gives several reasons why evil speaking should have no place among His people:
It Harms Others
Evil speaking inflicts real damage. Slander, gossip, and insults can destroy reputations and relationships. The wounds they inflict impact people’s lives in devastating ways.
It Does Not Reflect Christ
Jesus embodied love, grace, and truth in His words and actions. Evil speaking contradicts His example. As His followers, Christians are called to reflect His character.
It Causes Dissension
Evil speaking frequently incites conflict. It stirs up anger and breeds hatred within families, friendships, churches, and communities. God desires unity among His people.
It Reveals a Sinful Heart
Jesus said evil words flow from evil hearts (Matthew 15:19). Slander and insults expose the bitterness, pride, and hatred within someone.
It Is Hypocritical
Those who engage in evil speaking judge others, yet they too are guilty of sin and faults. Jesus warned about hypocritically judging others (Matthew 7:1-5).
It Is Destructive
Proverbs says “life and death are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). Evil speaking unleashes death through division and harm. God calls us to build others up with our words instead.
How Should Christians Respond to Evil Speaking?
When encountering evil speaking, believers should respond with wisdom and grace:
Guard Your Own Speech
Make sure your own mouth is not filled with evil. Avoid participating in slander, insults, gossip, etc. About others.
Reject Lies and Slander
Do not spread untruths and malicious statements made about others. Let them die instead of infecting more people.
Avoid Arguments and Quarrels
Don’t get dragged into conflicts stirred up by evil speaking. Maintain peaceful relations with others.
Defend and Protect the Victims
Speak up for those being slandered and maligned. Defend the truth about them. Refuse to listen to slander.
Confront the Perpetrators Lovingly
Gently point out the sin of evil speaking to those engaging in it. Help turn them to repentance and righteousness.
Forgive Those Who Wrong You
Follow Jesus’ example by forgiving others when they speak falsely about you. Return good for evil.
Pray for Change
Ask God to transform slanderous tongues and heal the wounds caused by evil speaking. Seek His reconciliation and restoration.
Examples of Evil Speaking in the Bible
Scripture contains many examples of evil speaking and how to respond righteously:
Joseph’s Brothers Slander Him
Joseph’s brothers hated him so much that they first planned to kill him, but decided to sell him into slavery instead (Genesis 37:18-28). They deceived their father by dipping Joseph’s robe in animal blood to make him think his son was dead.
Haman Slanders the Jews
Haman conspired to destroy the Jews because Mordecai refused to bow down to him (Esther 3:8-9). He slandered them to the king in order to get a decree issued for their extermination.
Jews Accuse Paul of Treason
During Paul’s ministry, some Jews falsely accused him of treason and sedition against Rome to try and have him arrested (Acts 24:1-9). They hired an attorney named Tertullus to present charges before the governor Felix.
Jesus Responds to Slurs with Love
When Jesus was being crucified, people hurled vicious insults at Him. But He responded by praying, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:33-34).
Stephen Prays for His Murderers
While Stephen was being stoned to death, he imitated Christ’s example, praying, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60). He forgave their evil speaking and violence toward him.
Overcoming Evil Speaking in the Church
The New Testament includes many exhortations aimed at eliminating evil speaking among Christians:
- Love one another – Evil speaking cannot thrive where love abounds (John 13:34-35).
- Be unified – Avoid divisions caused by slander (1 Corinthians 1:10).
- Speak truth in love – Be honest but gentle with your words (Ephesians 4:15).
- Purify your speech – Let only what is good come out (James 3:8-12).
- Forgive others – Just as Christ forgave you (Colossians 3:13).
- Be patient and kind – Don’t stir up strife (1 Thessalonians 5:14-15).
- Practice gentleness – Harsh words produce anger (James 1:19-20).
If Christians actively pursue these things, evil speaking and its effects will diminish.
Conclusion
In summary, “evil speaking” refers to speech intended to harm others, such as insults, slander, gossip, and cursing. Scripture repeatedly instructs believers to avoid these sins of the tongue. Evil speaking contradicts Christ’s example and destroys relationships. Christians must guard their own speech, refuse to participate in evil talk, and respond to victims with love. By pursuing what is good, pure, and loving, the body of Christ can overcome the forces of evil speaking.