Slander

"Though princes sit together and slander me, your servant will meditate on your decrees." (Psalm 119:23)

What is to be our reaction when we are slander? The natural thing for us is to defend ourselves and maybe even retaliate in some way. The Bible tells us that we are not to defend ourselves when we are slandered for the sake of the gospel. We are to count it joy when we are persecuted for "righteousness sake." The natural man would retaliate, but as Paul told the Corinthians, we are not natural but spiritual.

What then should be our reaction to the slander? The Psalmist's answer was to meditate on the decrees of the Lord. Psalm 2 tells us that we are to "take refuge in him." Psalm 3 tells us that He will be a shield around me. Psalm 4 tells us that we can rest in Him because He will make us to dwell in safety. Psalm 5 tells us that when the enemies come against us the Lord will "surround us with His favour as with a shield."

If we take time to meditate on the promises and decrees of the Lord then we will forget those that slander us. We need to remember that it is not our responsibility to defend the gospel but to proclaim it. The Lord does not need our help in defending His Word or His message but we need His help to defend us. Just as His Son received the scorn of His mockers without retaliation so should we. Remember that God vindicated His Son by raising Him from the dead and God will vindicate us by raising us up with Him. Let us remember to meditate upon His Word.