Ever Heard of Lashon Hara?
In the twelfth chapter of Numbers, a story centering on Miriam and Aaron is told. It regards the two of them taking the opportunity to be critical of Moses behind his back. It would appear that Moses had taken a Cushite woman as a wife, possibly after the death of Zipporah (Moses first wife), and evidently Miriam and Aaron did not agree. Given the way it is presented, it would appear they were thinking themselves superior to Moses because of his decision. This due to a statement they had made in Numbers 12:2, "Hath the Lord indeed spoken only to Moses? Hath He not spoken also to us?" (KJV) The story continues with the point being made that Moses was a very humble man. It follows with God suddenly calling to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam and ordering them to the tabernacle. Once there, the Lord descends down in a pillar of cloud and calls Miriam and Aaron forward. The Lord then proceeds to inform Aaron and Miriam that Moses alone receives revelation from Him in a manner more intimate than anyone else in Israel. With Moses, the Lord speaks directly, not so with anyone else. God then asks them, in light of this fact, why then would they not be afraid to speak against him. Angry, the Lord leaves the tabernacle. But, as he leaves Miriam's skin begins to turn white and leprous. God's judgment had come upon her. Upon seeing this, Aaron begins to plead with Moses for forgiveness. Moses, though he had been on the receiving end of Aaron and Miriam's gossip, interceded to God for them. However, the Lord informed Moses that Miriam would remain in the leprous condition for seven days. During which time the entire nation of Israel would have to wait before they could move camp.
Ever heard the saying, "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all"?
Our Jewish friends have a Hebrew term in regards to such talk. "Lashon ha'ra". In English it translates, "evil speech", and judging by God's reaction to it, I would be inclined to think it is a serious affront. Not only to the person who is being spoken about, but to God.
As already has been shown, it is dealt with in the entire twelfth chapter of Numbers. I will include other addresses of this within the Psalms:
The New Testament treats this subject as well:
If you look at the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20), there is a division there that a lot of people never notice. The first four commandments are all about honoring and loving God. While the last six are about honoring and loving your fellow man. Jesus demonstrates this in Matthew 22:36-40 and Mark 12:29-31.
We have seen examples from both the Old and New Testament. To speak evil of others serves only to display the lack of love within our own hearts. I will end at this point but I will leave you with this parting scripture, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another". (John 13:34-35)
Ever heard the saying, "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all"?
Our Jewish friends have a Hebrew term in regards to such talk. "Lashon ha'ra". In English it translates, "evil speech", and judging by God's reaction to it, I would be inclined to think it is a serious affront. Not only to the person who is being spoken about, but to God.
As already has been shown, it is dealt with in the entire twelfth chapter of Numbers. I will include other addresses of this within the Psalms:
- Psalms 15:3, "He that backbiteth not with his tongue...". (KJV) In Hebrew, backbiteth - ragal (Strong's H7270) meaning slanderer, or a talebearer (malicious gossip or reveals secrets), or also making false statements.
- Psalms 34:13, "Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from guile". (KJV) Hebrew, tongue - lashon (Strong's H3956), evil - ra (Strong's H7451), guile - mirmah, meaning deceit (Strong's H4820).
- Psalms 50:19, "Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit". (KJV) Hebrew, evil - again ra (Strong's H7451) and deceit - mirmah (Strong's H4820).
The New Testament treats this subject as well:
- Romans 1:29-32, " ...full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, (verse 30) Backbiters...". (KJV) In the Greek, whisperers - psithyristes, meaning secret slander, detractor. (Strong's G5588) Backbiters - katalalos, meaning defamed, evil speaker. (Strong's G2637)
- II Corinthians 12:20, "...lest there be no debates, envyings, wraths, stores, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:" (KJV) Backbitings - katalalia, meaning defamation, evil speaking. (Strong's G2636)
- Christ, in Matthew 12:34-37, had some strong admonition for the Pharisees in which he called them a "brood of vipers", and lectured them regarding their words. First off, "...for the tree is known by his fruit". (Matthew 12:33, KJV) I will address this passage in a future article. Let's just say trees are either good and bear fruit. Or they're bad and are cut down and thrown into the fire. He further explains, "...for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh". (Matthew 12:34, KJV) Meaning the words that come out of your mouth will display what's in your heart. If it is venom that comes from your lips, guess what's inside. The Lord follows up with telling us we will give an account for all these evil things that come out of us. We have an echoing of this in Luke 6:43-45.
- Luke has went so far as to point out to us an incident involving Paul (Acts 23:1-5), in which he had been brought before the Sanhedrin (Jewish High Council) During the course of his appearance, he is struck in the mouth. Evidently this flew all over him as he goes into a tirade until it was brought to his attention, he was insulting the high priest. Paul then makes apology for this and references Exodus 22:28, "You must not blaspheme God or curse a leader among your people". (HCSB) So it would appear we would need to control our tongues even when we are talking about political leaders. Even when we are not in agreement with them. Though, they may actively work against the Lord and his kingdom, they are in fact ordained by Him. (see Romans 13:1-7) This does not mean we neglect our responsibility to the Lord and keep quiet on things that are in direct contradiction to our faith or to God, such as abortion. But, "render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's ". (Matthew 22:21, KJV)
- The Lord's brother James speaks on this issue. In his epistle, James 4:11, he points out that when we speak evil of another, such as gossip, slander, or critical comments. We set our selves up as their judges and have elevated ourselves to a position we have no business being at. If a brother or sister is in the wrong, Christ has set forth a formula for us to follow. (see Matthew 18:15-17)
If you look at the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20), there is a division there that a lot of people never notice. The first four commandments are all about honoring and loving God. While the last six are about honoring and loving your fellow man. Jesus demonstrates this in Matthew 22:36-40 and Mark 12:29-31.
We have seen examples from both the Old and New Testament. To speak evil of others serves only to display the lack of love within our own hearts. I will end at this point but I will leave you with this parting scripture, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another". (John 13:34-35)