JUDGMENT & SLANDER
"Blasphemia" - βλασφημία

 (See also "Mouth of Fools vs. Wise")
 

Comes from the evil heart, Luke 6:45.
Often arises from hatred, Psa. 109:3.
characterized as avoiding, Psa. 15:1, 3.
Idleness leads to, 1 Tim. 5:13.
The wicked addicted to, Psa. 50:20.
Hypocrites addicted to, Prov. 11:9.
A characteristic of the devil, Rev. 12:10.
The wicked love, Psa. 52:4.
they who indulge in, are fools, Prov. 10:18.
Women warned against, Tit. 2:3.
Ministers’ wives should avoid, 1 Tim. 3:11.
Saints should keep their tongues from, Psa. 34:13, with 1 Pet. 3:10;
should lay aside, Eph. 4:31;
should be warned against, Tit. 3:1, 2;
should give no occasion for, 1 Pet. 2:12; 3:16;
should return good for, 1 Cor. 4:13;
blessed in enduring, Matt. 5:11; 		Christ was exposed to, Ps. 35:11; Mt. 26:60.
Rulers exposed to, Jude 8.
Ministers exposed to, Rom. 3:8; 2 Cor. 6:8.
The nearest relations exposed to, Psa. 50:20.
Saints exposed to, Ps. 38:12; 109:2; 1 Pe. 4:4.
Should not be listened to, 1 Sam. 24:9;
causes anger, Prov. 25:23.
     EFFECTS OF:
Separating friends, Prov. 16:28; 17:9;
deadly wounds, Prov. 18:8; 26:22;
strife, Prov. 26:20;
discord among brethren, Prov. 6:19;
murder, Psa. 31:13; Ezek. 22:9.
The tongue of, is a scourge, Job 5:21;
is venomous, Psa. 140:3; Eccl. 10:11;
is destructive, Prov. 11:9.
End of, is mischievous madness, Eccl. 10:13.
Men shall give account for, Matt. 12:36.
Punishment for, Deut. 19:16–21.
Unclassified Scriptures Relating to: Ex. 23:1; Deut. 22:13–19; Job 5:21; Psa. 41:6–9; Psa. 50:20; Psa. 101:5; Prov. 10:18; Prov. 25:23; Jer. 6:28; Jer. 9:4; Rom. 1:29, 30; 1 Cor. 4:13; 1 Cor. 6:10; 2 cor. 12:20; Jas. 4:11; 1 Pet. 2:1; 2 Pet. 2:10

BLASPHEME, BLASPHEMY, BLASPHEMER, BLASPHEMOUS

A. Noun.
blasphemia (βλασφημία, 988), either from blax, “sluggish, stupid,” or, probably, from blapto, “to injure,” and pheme, “speech,” (Eng. “blasphemy”) is so translated thirteen times in the rv, but “railing” in Matt. 15:19; Mark 7:22; Eph. 4:31; Col. 3:8; 1 Tim. 6:4; Jude 9. The word “blasphemy” is practically confined to speech defamatory of the Divine Majesty. See Note, below. See evil speaking, railing.

B. Verb.
blasphemeo (βλασφημέω, 987), “to blaspheme, rail at or revile,” is used (a) in a general way, of any contumelious speech, reviling, calumniating, railing at, etc., as of those who railed at Christ, e.g., Matt. 27:39; Mark 15:29; Luke 22:65 (rv, “reviling”); 23:39; (b) of those who speak contemptuously of God or of sacred things, e.g., Matt. 9:3; Mark 3:28; Rom. 2:24; 1 Tim. 1:20; 6:1; Rev. 13:6; 16:9, 11, 21; “hath spoken blasphemy,” Matt. 26:65; “rail at,” 2 Pet. 2:10; Jude 8, 10; “railing,” 2 Pet. 2:12; “slanderously reported,” Rom. 3:8; “be evil spoken of,” Rom. 14:16; 1 Cor. 10:30; 2 Pet. 2:2; “speak evil of,” Titus 3:2; 1 Pet. 4:4; “being defamed,” 1 Cor. 4:13. The verb (in the present participial form) is translated “blasphemers” in Acts 19:37; in Mark 2:7, “blasphemeth,” rv, for kjv, “speaketh blasphemies.”
There is no noun in the original representing the English “blasphemer.” This is expressed either by the verb, or by the adjective blasphemos. See defame, rail, report, revile.

C. Adjective.
blasphemos (βλάσφημος, 989), “abusive, speaking evil,” is translated “blasphemous,” in Acts 6:11, 13; “a blasphemer,” 1 Tim. 1:13; “railers,” 2 Tim. 3:2, rv; “railing,” 2 Pet. 2:11. See rail.¶
Note: As to Christ’s teaching concerning “blasphemy” against the Holy Spirit, e.g., Matt. 12:32, that anyone, with the evidence of the Lord’s power before His eyes, should declare it to be Satanic, exhibited a condition of heart beyond divine illumination and therefore hopeless. Divine forgiveness would be inconsistent with the moral nature of God. As to the Son of Man, in his state of humiliation, there might be misunderstanding, but not so with the Holy Spirit’s power demonstrated.

Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W. (1996). Vine's complete expository dictionary of Old and New Testament words (2:69). Nashville: T. Nelson.

Scriptures Regarding:

If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. (Ja. 1:26) [KJV-"vain." The word "vanity" in the Bible means "iniquity."]

"Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand." (Rom 14:4)

"Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God." (1 Cor 4:5)

Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered (Psa. 32:1)

Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another (Rom. 14:13)

Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people …”(Bible Commentary: “A talebearer is not just a gossip, but a slanderer, actively seeking to destroy another’s reputation.” (Lev. 19:16)

By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted, But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. He who is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor, But a man of understanding holds his peace. A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter" (Prov. 11:11-13)

For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. (11) He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. (12) For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (1 Pe. 3:10-12)

... especially those ... who despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries, whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring a reviling accusation against them before the Lord." (2 Pe. 2:10-11).

The arrogant cannot stand in your presence; you hate all who do wrong. (Psa. 5:5)

My slanderers pursue me all day long; many are attacking me in their pride. (Psa. 56:2)

A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment. (2) A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his own heart. ("Pro 18:1)

"Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful" (KJV-Rom 1:31)

Hebrew: BAGAD--Mal 2:10 - "Have we not all one Father? Did not one God create us? Why do we profane the covenant of our fathers by breaking faith [BAGAD] with one another? ... (16b) So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith."

Rom 1:31-32 - they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them
(Pro. 28:4)

Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts. (4) Repay them for their deeds and for their evil work; repay them for what their hands have done and bring back upon them what they deserve. (5) Since they show no regard for the works of the Lord and what his hands have done, he will tear them down and never build them up again. (Psa. 28:3-5)

This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. (Psa. 49:13)

God, who is enthroned forever, will hear them and afflict them - men who never change their ways and have no fear of God. (20) My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant. (21) His speech is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords. (Psa. 55:19-21)

 Let slanderers not be established in the land; may disaster hunt down men of violence. (Psa. 140:11)

Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment. (Ecc. 11:9)

Therefore, as a tongue of fire consumes stubble And dry grass collapses into the flame, So their root will become like rot and their blossom blow away as dust; For they have rejected the law of the LORD of hosts And despised the word of the Holy One of Israel (isa. 5:24)

If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man ...And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell ... For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace (Jas 3:2,6, 16-18).

But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. (Mat. 12:36)

Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification (Rom 14: 19).

Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. (Eph 4:29)

The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him (1 Jn. 2:9-10)

Whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected (1 Jn. 2:5)

Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them (Psa. 119:165)

For those who are slandered:

“Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets” (Lu. 6:26).

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Matt 5:10-12).

My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me. (16) Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love. (17) Let me not be put to shame, O Lord, for I have cried out to you; but let the wicked be put to shame and lie silent in the grave. (18) Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous. (19) How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you. (20) In the shelter of your presence you hide them from the intrigues of men; in your dwelling you keep them safe from accusing tongues. (21) Praise be to the Lord, for he showed his wonderful love to me when I was in a besieged city. (22) In my alarm I said, “I am cut off from your sight!” Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help. (23) Love the Lord, all his saints! The Lord preserves the faithful, but the proud he pays back in full. (24) Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. (Psa. 31:15-32:2)

For you have heard my vows, O God; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name (Psa. 61:5)

May those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, “The Lord be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant.” (Ps. 35:27)