The man known as "The Father of Orthodoxy," St. Athanasius (c. 297-373), became the first Doctor of the Church ~ a title conferred on great men and women combining a supreme excellence of holiness and intelligence. He faced much opposition from the Arians, a group renouncing the deity of Christ. His life was threatened many times, and he was exiled from office as Bishop of Alexandria, Egypt, five times, by four different emperors.

St. Athanasius was the foremost defender of the deity of Jesus Christ. He faced so much opposition, due to this, that at a meeting in Milan, between Emperor Constantius and Pope Liberius, the Emperor asked the Pope: "Who are you to stand up for Athanasius against the world?"

Two interesting stories apply to false accusation against St. Athanasius. Once, he was accused of practicing magic. His accusers showed a wooden box. The box held the blackened and withered hand of a corpse. They claimed this was the hand of Arsenius, Bishop of Hypsele. Their accusation was St. Athanasius had poisoned his fellow-Bishop, cut off his hand and used it in magic. While St. Athanasius effectively refuted the other charges at this time, the suspicion of practicing magic lingered on. Then, in a council of Bishops in 335, he dramatically introduced Arsenius, who was clothed in a long-sleeve robe. St. Athanasius asked him to put forth one hand and, then, the other. St. Athanasius said, "You see, he has two hands. Where is the third which I cut off? God has created men with two hands only."

At the same council, a woman, bribed to accuse St. Athanasius of immorality, was brought forth. A priest named Timothy stood up to challenge the woman. He spoke, "Do you really accuse me of this crime?" She replied, "Certainly." She showed, thereby, that she did not even know St. Athanasius by sight.

When we consider slander, we may think of its impact on persons slandered; yet, slander is corrupt in itself. Such speech fails to communicate grace, is devoid of love. A person may avoid cursing and foul jokes, for example, and think his or her speech is clean, while the same person dirtily speaks of others.

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.

*Ephesians 4.29, AV

St. Paul gives a negative injunction coupled with a positive aim in speech. First, do not use corrupt speech. Second, what we say is to edify, or build up others, not tear them down. Also, the consequence of edifying speech is ministering of grace, or the loving energy of Christ.

Gossip and slander, then, have a negative effect, for such does not encompass the energy of edification and grace. Such talk is un-gracious, devoid of good. To communicate un-graciously, while truth is spoken, is still un-gracious.

We need to make sure our focus is not merely on the content of what we say, as regards making sure it is not slanderous. We live under the perfect law of liberty, and that principle of Grace summons us to think and speak helpfully, not harmfully.

Speak and act like people who will be judged by the law that sets us free.

*James 2.12, CEV

Rather than merely asking, "Is what I say hurting someone?," we can examine ourselves, "Is my speech being used consistently to edify and minister grace, and to everyone I meet?"

When I think, "How may be of service today?," use of my speech in ordinary encounters and in response to others around me who wish to be critical of others can be a ready tool for good in the world.

You, like St. Athanasius, cannot protect yourself from corrupt speech of others against you. Persons will slander and gossip regarding us from misinformation, envy, jealousy, discontent, boredom, ... We, however, can choose how we speak about others and to others. Rather than getting caught up in hurtful speech directed to or regarding you, focus on the much good you can do with your words, spoken or written, daily.

At times, we need to give slander time for its own undoing. Sometimes, immediate defense is not wise. With time, character proves itself, regardless of immediate impact of critical words.

We return to one of our oft-repeated themes: The essentiality of inner, spiritual transformation. A Heart in Love seeks to speak lovingly; a gracious person aims to speak graciously.

Love through your words, for Love is always seeking to manifest through any available means of Grace. Cooperate with Spirit to grace someone today through your tongue, pen, or computer.

1) Have you received any recent unjust criticism? How have you responded to it? How may you respond to it?

2) Do you need to examine your use of speech? How may you do this?

3) Is there anyone you tend to be critical of? Is it helping the person? Helping you? How may you use speech to minister grace to that person?

*Data and stories about St. Athanasius are in Fr. Christopher Rengers. The 33 Doctors of the Church. Quote from St. Symeon the New Theologian and St. Barsanuphius the Great at landru.i-link-.net .

*Charitable contributions would be appreciated to assist Brian in the continuance of his work of ministry. For contributions, contact Brian at barukhattah@embarqmail.com .

*Brian's book of spiritual love poetry, An Ache for Union: Oneness with God through Love, can be ordered through major booksellers, or through the Cokesbury on-line store, at www.cokesbury.com .

*Brian K. Wilcox lives in Punta Gorda, FL, and Clearwater, FL, with his wife, step-son, and two beloved dogs. Brian has an independent writing, workshop, and retreat ministry focused on Christians living as spiritual disciples of Jesus Christ in everyday life. He serves the Christ Community United Methodist Church, Punta Gorda, FL. Brian is vowed at Greenbough House of Prayer, a contemplative Christian community in South Georgia. He lives a vowed, contemplative life and inspires others to experience a more intimate relationship with God-in-Christ. Brian advocates for a spiritually-focused, experiential Christianity and renewal of the focus of the Church on addressing the deeper spiritual needs and longings of persons.