Slander & Libel

Slander is defined as: a false and malicious spoken statement. Libel is defined as: a published false statement that is damaging to a person's reputation; a written defamation. I remember law class in high school. The concepts of slander and libel were introduced and I was fascinated with the laws that protect us all from both. At the root, we are not permitted to lie about another by verbalizing or writing falsehoods pertaining to them. It is against the law, a violation of another's rights to be who they are without someone coming along and slinging mud at them in an attempt to ruin their reputation. I argue, we can do this all by ourselves, isn't that right Dear Reader? We can ruin our own reputations by what we say, by what we write, all on our own. My heart and mind are leading me back in time, to another place, a world not so different from our own..."Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there." What did Jesus write? More importantly, how did he know what to write? If it had been libellous, those who questioned him would have objected, understandably. No one wants to hear lies spoken of them, written about them. What did they read in that sand that made them self conscious? What did they hear echoed in their hearts about their own sin, loudly and clearly enough that they "began to go away one at a time, the older ones first", walking away from their "right" by law to stone a sinner? Jesus revealed without words, without public exposure, what these accusers knew to be true in their hearts. He wrote something so powerful in the sand that they retreated from the scene. Now turn your gaze inward. What would he write about you, Dear One? It is easy to point a finger at another, to metaphorically stone them, but you, and I, are we too, condemnable, worthing of stoning? "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" "No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin." 1 John 1:8-10 "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." I don't know about you Dear One, but I will not call my Saviour a liar. I am a sinner. He is the only One who can condemn me and thankfully, since I turn from sin and toward Him, I am free from the punishment that I deserve. Won't you turn to Him today if you have not already? He is standing close by and already knows your answer-choose Him and live in newness this very day.