A very interesting word used in Titus 2:3 shows how seriously God takes slander, defamation, half-truths, blasphemy (even in a pious guise), or gossip. When older women are told not to slander, we find the Greek term “diabolos” – the word used for the devil. It means “confuser, slanderer”. No wonder since he is called the father of lies in John 8:44. One who unjustly criticizes and condemns.
Gossip, half-truths (not lies per se, but distortions of reality), and other things are not trivial to God. They are of diabolical origin. Especially in light of James 3:1-12, where we are shown that our tongues can destroy much, we as believers should be very sensitive about whether, what, and how we talk about our fellow brothers and sisters.
Philippians 4:8 is a good “list of criteria”: “Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” If what I have to say about my brother or sister is inappropriate, maybe I should keep it to myself.
Ps 141:3: “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.”
