Defaming Another Person’s Good Name

So often do people judge another person, of whom they know nothing about. Because somebody said something, they also look at them as being religious in their own eyes and not God’s. They have no respect for the person but instead, try to do all they can to prove they are wrong in what they say and teach. This happened to Job, if you were to read this book, and also happens to many good Christians in our own times today. People like Todd White comes to my mind, who I think is doing a great work for God, but other people may not share this same opinion. These people are often quick to judge a person based on what they have seen in some short videos and what people have said about them. And now they try to bring out the bad in him to others. You know what this is? It is called defaming another person’s good name. This is when a person attempts to injure or slander another person’s good reputation. I know this to be true myself, for many people have called me a false prophet and other such things, when really they didn’t once check out what I have written or do for God on my “Daily Christian Devotionals” website. Does it hurt when people try to slander my good name? For a moment, but I know that I will be persecuted along the line of doing God’s work on earth, just like Todd White is. Now, in Job 32, we learn that Job’s three friends ¹“ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.” (Job 32:1) You see, they didn’t care to listen to what Job said, but counted everything he said to be foolish and self-righteous. This is so wrong.

Who really knows our true intentions for God? Do people? No. Only God can see what lies in our hearts for Him and not mankind. It is true that God hates a false witness, but only the Holy Spirit can help a person know if a person is for God or not. And because many people do not have the Holy Spirit with them, do they judge people when they shouldn’t. These are people who ²“soweth discord among brethren,” (Proverbs 6:19) which God hates. People who desire to tear down certain individuals in the faith are doing just that. Instead of finding out more about them and even reaching out to these people first, in order to talk with them about their concerns, they disclose false information about them. Sure, there are false prophets in this world, but I will not tear them down, but try to lead them to know Jesus for themselves. Now, concerning Job, he had three friends who were very cruel to him, in only finding fault and not showing any comfort at all to him. However, there was a fourth person called Elihu, who we will soon confront Job in the next chapter. As for now, he is very angry. It is written, ¹“then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.” (Job 32:2) He said more of course, but the thing to draw from this is that he felt that Job was justified in himself and not with God. So what do we see from this man? We see him prejudging Job, like his other friends, instead of trying to comfort Job in his afflictions. This is where he is very much out of line.

Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that we will all call upon Your Name and let You help us know what to do and say to people. Many people are prejudging people without even knowing them first. So many people are defaming others and slandering their good names. This is very sad and needs to stop. Sure, there are false prophets and anti-Christs all around the world, but who can help us know who these people are? Only You can God. So I pray that You will lead us and not our own self. That the Holy Spirit will be with us at all times. It would be sad if I accidentally said something about someone that was wrong and now people who should trust them do not anymore. I know that I have done this in the past and I am very sorry. You know when those times were and I pray that You have forgiven me. Lord, I know that You have given me another chance to be saved and never once put me down because of what I used to be. Therefore, I pray that I will also never again put any person down. Instead, help me to love one another as You love them. I desire to always know what You would have for me to do when I talk to other people, for I will accidentally do say and do something wrong if I am leading myself. Lord, I pray for people who are slandering other people right now. If these people think they are Christians, I pray that they will repent and turn to You, Jesus. May they no longer do this, but desire to help and say sorry to the person instead. Too many people could be saved if people would only lift them up and not tear them down. I love You, Jesus. Only You can help me become the type of person You were on earth and not myself. I give You praise and glory. I trust in You. Amen.

Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.

Job 32

¹Job 32 (KJV)
1 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
2 Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.
3 Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.
4 Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he.
5 When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled.
6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion.
7 I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.
8 But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
9 Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.
10 Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion.
11 Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say.
12 Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words:
13 Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man.
14 Now he hath not directed his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches.
15 They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking.
16 When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;)
17 I said, I will answer also my part, I also will shew mine opinion.
18 For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.
19 Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.
20 I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.
21 Let me not, I pray you, accept any man’s person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man.
22 For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.

Proverbs 6

²Proverbs 6 (KJV)
1 My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,
2 Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.
3 Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend.
4 Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.
5 Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.
6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.
12 A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.
13 He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;
14 Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.
15 Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.
16 These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
20 My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
21 Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.
22 When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.
23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
24 To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.
25 Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.
26 For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adultress will hunt for the precious life.
27 Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?
28 Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?
29 So he that goeth in to his neighbour’s wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.
30 Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;
31 But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.
32 But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.
33 A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.
34 For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
35 He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.