Speak Evil of No One

Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. - Titus 3:1-2 NKJV

The other night, my husband and I sat down to unwind with a little TV before bed. He flipped to the evening news, and as the segment began, he opened his mouth to make a comment about the person speaking. Before he could say a word, I quickly interrupted him and said: “Speak evil of no one.” He glanced over at me, a little surprised, and I added, “No, seriously. I was just reading that verse this morning and it really convicted me. I think we’d be wise to take it to heart.” I went on to share with him where God convicted me in it. We ended up having a pretty “lively” conversation about it— and after a few minutes, we decided to change the channel altogether.

In today’s polarized political climate, where disagreement often turns into hostility and public discourse feels more like a battlefield than a conversation, the words of Titus 3:2 hit especially hard: “to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.”

It has become all too easy, and accepted these days, to belittle or demonize those on the "other side" of an issue. But as Christians, we should be especially careful. Scripture doesn’t give us an exemption clause to speak poorly of others, whether they be political opponents, or anyone we dislike. As followers of Christ, we are called to a higher standard: to engage with others, even those we strongly disagree with, without resorting to slander or contempt.

A Change in Tone

Paul doesn’t stop with the command to speak evil of no one; he goes on to remind believers that we too were once foolish, deceived, and even hateful. In other words, we weren’t exactly easy to love. But by God’s grace, we were changed. And that same grace? It’s still at work today in the hearts of the very people many of us are quick to criticize or slander. In other words, when we slander another person, we may just be slandering someone the Holy Spirit of God is drawing to Jesus...a future brother or sister in Christ. Paul’s point is clear: we are called to treat others with the same mercy and patience that God extended to us when we were far from Him.

This means holding our tongues (out of love), resisting the pull of gossip, and refusing to speak with contempt...even about those we strongly disagree with. If more of us lived this out, imagine the shift in the tone of our conversations and its effect on our everyday lives.

Try Something New

What if, just for this week, we made a conscious effort to respond differently to those we disagree with? And then try it again each week after that.

Take a moment to write down the names of the people you find yourself gossiping about, criticizing, or speaking poorly of...whether they’re public figures, political leaders, coworkers, friends or even people in your own home. Then, rather than slander, commit to praying for those names every day this week. Instead of tearing them down with your words, lift them up in prayer. You might be surprised at how God not only works in them, but softens something in you, too.

In other words, model Jesus:

You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect (Matthew 5:43-48).

God Bless You,

Carole