2 Timothy 3:3 - slanderous

“The Last Days and Truthing in Love”

(2 Timothy 3:3, November 27, 2011)

1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.

2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,

3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, ...

slanderous

The word that is translated “slanderous” here is the one from which we get our English word “diabolical.” The devil, Jesus told us, is a liar from the beginning. He is willing to tell blatant lies and half-truths in order to destroy others. He is full of slander, and is an accuser of the brethren who are beloved by God.

In the last days, people will be slanderous.

Slander comes from human beings. It is a violation of relationship. The closer the relationship, the greater the wound.

Someone who is a slanderer is a false accuser; unjustly criticizing others in order to hurt or malign them. A slanderer condemns in order to sever a relationship.

Not every criticism is slander. Look for two signs of the fullness of slander. Is the report infected with untruth? Is the intent of the party speaking evil or malicious? The second question is ultimately a matter of the heart. God knows what is fully slanderous, since He knows the heart of the speaker.

Speaking the truth in love

We are called to speak the truth seasonably and in love. If we love someone, there are times when we will be silent rather than speak a word of criticism. Love speaks the truth at a time when it may best be heard. God, be our help!

Living the truth in love

How loving are the words of criticism that we do speak? By their fruits you will know them. If we claim to speak the truth in love, we should be willing to live out that love with sacrificial actions.

Christ knows our sin. So does the devil. The devil is a malicious accuser. Christ is our propitiatory sacrifice. This is love: Christ laid down His life for His friends.

In the last days, people will be devilish. They will be slanderous. We are called as followers of Christ, to live out the truth in love, even to love our enemies. We need to keep our mouths from all slander. We need to back up good words with the sincerity of sacrifice.