Numbers chapter 12 tells the story of a slanderer, Miriam, a devilish diva who spoke about Moses, got leprosy, and was shut out of the camp for 7 days. Miriam is an example of what not to do and teaches us the importance of discretion.
Miriam was a prophetess, a leader, and an example among the women of Israel. She had the responsibility to share the word of the Lord and represent God well. She was required to reverence authority, exercise self-control, and use discretion with her tongue. Miriam should have been sober-minded and discreet, but she let envy overtake her.
Instead of using her tongue to glorify God, Miriam was a slanderer.
A slanderer rebels against authority
An interesting fact about Miriam, her name means rebellion, and that is proven out when she speaks out against God’s delegated authority. Rebellion to authority is rooted in the heart of a slanderer. Envy, bitterness, and pride ruin their disposition and destroy their testimony.
Miriam and Aaron made their own personal assumption and judgment against Moses. They played right into Satan’s hand as their carnal environment rubbed off on them.
Carnality is contagious! Share on X
We must all remember that all authority is delegated by God, and it’s our duty to submit to that authority willfully.
Romans 13:1~ Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Truths from this story of a slanderer in the Bible:
Proverbs 11:2 – With pride comes shame.
James 3:5-10 – The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity.
Matthew 7:1-5 – Judge not, lest ye be judged.
Romans 12:3 – Don’t think of yourself more highly than you ought to think.
Luke 12:47-48 – To whom much is given, much is required.
Proverbs 10:18 – A slanderer is a fool.
Stop the slander in the church
Titus 2:3~ The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
“Accuser” comes from the Greek word “diabolos” which means Satan or traducer. This word is also used as “slanderer” and “devil” in the New Testament.
A false accuser is a pawn of Satan who sows discord and spreads lies. Slanderers seek self-elevation and start division, and they malign the character of others as Miriam did to Moses.
Slander is toxic to the health of the church, so if you speak lies about others or insinuate wrongdoing, please repent!
Maybe you’ve been slandered yourself. It hurts, doesn’t it? Slander destroys relationships and reputations, and there is just no place for it in the life of the believer.
Be an encourager instead of a slanderer
Nothing else was written about Miriam’s life until she died, and that was just that she died and was buried, and I find that incredibly sad. I certainly don’t want that to be my story.
Women of God, we want our legacy to be different than hers, so let’s be intentional to be encouragers instead of slanderers. Guard your heart against envy and bitterness, fear the Lord, and walk in humility.
Don’t be a devilish diva like Miriam, speak the truth, submit to authority, and shower others with grace.
Ephesians 4:29~ Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Learn it and live it, ladies!
Resource Library
I created a resource library with tools for spiritual growth here at Daily His Disciple. There are scripture lists for topical study and memorization, and more Bible study tools will be added regularly. The most recent addition is my 7-day devotional bundle on worry! I also have a How to Study the Bible workbook available, all for FREE.
Simply enter your email address and hit subscribe to get the link to the resource library and the password.
You will also get my blog posts in your email, in addition to access to these Bible study resources. I only post weekly or bi-weekly so I won’t flood your inbox.
If you are already subscribed to Daily His Disciple, just email me and I will send you the link and password!
Pray With Confidence
Prayer is an essential part of being a discreet woman. If you would like to grow in your prayer life, then check out Pray with Confidence. It’s a website for helping women overcome prayer obstacles and I am one of the 40 regular contributors. Here are some links I think will be a blessing to you:
3 Short Prayers for Spiritual Stability
2 Things to Remember to Find Peace in Chaos
19 Bible Verses that Reveal the Will of God
I love the fact that the Bible is a replica of our lives today. Devilish people exist even today and sit right next to us in church. Meanwhile, God expects us to co-exist without trying to imitate such evil deeds. In the book of Mathew (am not quite good at mastering the verses), God sent us to a park of wolves but at the same time did not expect us to become wolves. God knows that with Him in us, we are strong enough to resist temptations.
Interesting insight. I’ve never thought much about Miriam as an adult. For some reason, I mostly think of her as the little girl who goes to fetch her mother to nurse the baby.
What a great reminder for us women of the church. We have to be careful how we are coming across to those who are looking/watching/learning from us. This serves as a mother as well.
Truth!Thanks for reading! 🙂
What a great reminder to me that not only am I an example to my children, but also to other women!
Yes,and you never know who’s listening and will pick up on that same slanderous speech. Thanks for reading! 🙂
Miriam is a most interesting character. I love that she did have opportunities to serve beside her brothers. We must constantly be on the alert for how we’re portraying the church – not as perfect but as the bride of Christ. Thanks for the reminder.
I think she’s a good example of ministry burnout. She begins her service to the women by leading them in song and dance of praise and glory to God.(Exodus 15:20-21) By the end of her ministry she’s tearing down the leadership. After all those years with that carnal group of people it’s no wonder she behaves like she did!
Her story is a warning for ministry leaders not to let the carnality of others draw you into the web of deceit that Satan spins. We’ll never be perfect this side of heaven, but through the power of the Holy Spirit we can be holy as he is holy, and walk and talk as Jesus did, with grace, truth, and love. 🙂 Thanks for reading!