Few crimes are as senseless as arson. In late 1993, portions of the Southern California landscape were blackened by a rash of brushfires set by arsonists. Woodlands vanished, homes were reduced to ashes, animals and human beings lost their lives.

Slander is verbal arson. Lies about a person’s character or actions are extremely destructive. They consume reputations and destroy relationships.

In Shakespeare’s play Othello, the character Iago mapped out the damage slander does:

Who steals my purse steals trash;

’tis something, nothing.

‘Twas mine, ’tis his,

and has been slave to thousands.

But he who filches from me my good name

robs me of that which not enriches him

and makes me poor indeed.

King Solomon warned that a scoundrel has evil “on his lips like a burning fire” (Prov. 16:27). In contrast, he said that pleasant words are instructive and soothing, promoting spiritual health (vv.21-24).

When you’re tempted to set a match to your brother’s reputation with fiery words, stop! Ask God to help you speak words that build up instead of destroy. Don’t be a verbal arsonist.