"Run 'Em Through The Muck Righteousness"

Christianity Is Not A Slander Contest

Denigrating an adversary is commonly seen today during election campaigns where candidates often focus as much (or more) on making their opponent look bad as they do making themselves look good. Unfortunately, all too often, Christians who differ in belief resort to the same worldly tactic - either to reassure themselves, or their followers, that they are "right."

The folly of "run 'em through the muck righteousness" is that it's morally and intellectually impossible to raise one's self up by tearing someone else down. It is in fact, more than anything, just a cheap diversion to keep people's eyes on the "other guy," and away from what the slanderer himself or herself has to hide about himself or herself. But it's just a diversion for people's eyes, not God's, because when all is done, come the Judgment Day, the only Judgment Day that matters, God isn't going to ask, "What did he do?" or "What did she do?" - He's going to ask, "What did you do?" And make no mistake, He will already know the answer (see Glass Houses).

"Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God"

"do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:30-32 RSV)

"On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you once walked, when you lived in them. But now put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk from your mouth." (Colossians 3:6-8 RSV)

"Humble yourselves before The Lord and He will exalt you. Do not speak evil against one another, brethren. He that speaks evil against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one Lawgiver and Judge, He who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you that you judge your neighbor?" (James 4:10-12 RSV)

"Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good life let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This wisdom is not such as comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty or insincerity. And the harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." (James 3:13-18 RSV)

Fact Finder: Will slanderers enter the Kingdom of God?
1 Corinthians 6:9-10