Falsely Accused - Martin Wiles

You gave me victory over my accusers. Psalm 18:43 NLT

Accusations can sting—especially the false ones.

Norris couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Didn’t you know she was ____?” “Couldn’t you smell ____ on her breath?”

It was bad enough that he’d just had his wife confess unfaithfulness and tell him she didn’t love him anymore. Now the spiritual leaders of the church he pastored accused him of a cover-up. But he didn’t know she was ___. And he had not smelled _____ on her breath. He had his suspicions—but no solid proof. Resigning was his only choice. 

I’ve experienced a little of what Norris tasted. I, too, remember a time when a comment I made was taken out of context, and it almost cost me my job. Being falsely accused hurts—and can come at a high cost.

What the psalmist was accused of, we aren’t told. The missing information isn’t important, though. He trusted God to give him victory over his accusers.

Jesus also faced false accusations. When he cast out demons, the religious authorities said he was empowered by the prince of demons. False accusations eventually led him to the cross.

Early Christians also knew about false accusations. Ironically, they were accused of being atheists. Not because they didn’t worship or believe in any god, but because they neither acknowledged the Roman Caesar as a god nor believed in the Roman pantheon.

False accusations are a part of life at some point during the journey. They may or may not have anything to do with our faith, but they likely will. Those who accuse have ulterior motives. Perhaps they want our job. Maybe they hate the morality that comes along with our belief system.

Jesus responded to false accusations by making himself like a sheep going to slaughter: silence. Reacting with anger, cursing, or other forms of violent behavior won’t do the trick. Nor will appealing to our legal rights. These things will only serve to damage our witness before others.

The best course of action is to turn the matter over to God. He said vengeance belonged to him—not us. Praying over the matter and praying for the person making the false accusations will bring peace to our souls and keep us from doing anything that will hinder God’s cause.

Let God handle false accusations made against you.

Father, when others falsely accuse us, give us the strength to respond in a godly fashion. 

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