How well do you handle false accusations? I was in court one morning when another attorney accused me of lying to the judge. My jaw dropped. I was so angry I was speechless—which was probably God’s way of preventing me from unleashing my seething thoughts which were swarming like a hive of angry yellow jackets inside my head. How dare he accuse me of lying?!? Was he trying to ruin me? All afternoon I thought about all the retaliatory things I wish I had said to Him (as if it would have somehow made me feel better.) 😳 I complained to a couple of my friends and they consoled me somewhat…but I was still angry. Later I was griping and grousing about it to God, and clear as a bell, His Spirit spoke to me:
“Take yourself out of the equation, sweetheart—I’ve got you.“
Ok, wow! God is so good to gently remind me of the glorious purpose that He has for my life so that—small people and worse, my big ego—don’t yank me off of His path. I was created for HIS glory and NOTHING should be about ME—not even my job. He is my protector and defender. My job in the courtroom is to honor Him while I search for truth and procure justice (and sometimes mercy) for my clients. My angry reaction was my awful pride rising up like a snake to strike and defend my reputation. You see, the less I make my job about me, the more I allow God to handle ALL of my problems—including false accusations. God frees me to focus on the mission.
When we desire to live for God’s glory, false accusations don’t derail us because our life isn’t about us, it’s about Him.
God can handle it. People’s words don’t change God’s plans. His presence gives us His perspective. Indeed, Jesus set the standard about how to handle false accusations. He could have defended Himself against the charges of blasphemy and sedition (Matthew 26); but His glorious plan to redeem us from our sin, was a more important mission to Him. The opinion of His enemies was less important than the will of His Heavenly Father and His love for us.
Jesus made His life about us; and we have the glorious opportunity to make our life about Him.
When we are born again, His presence lives inside of us. When the accusations arise, we can immediately reach for His hand. Our Almighty Father gives us the peace of His presence; the blessing of His omniscient wisdom, the strength to do His will, and He covers it all in His steadfast love. In His presence, He even gives us remarkable compassion for our accusers.
Jesus died for His enemies and gives us life so that we can bring the gift of the Gospel to others—just like He did for us!
God desires to give us a glorious life—one lived for HIS glory. Living for God’s honor doesn’t mean we will be free from personal attacks. Why would we ever expect that for ourselves, as followers of Jesus, when we know that the world hated Him? But when our life is 100% about Christ, then the attacks are on Him—not us. No one defends His children like God. There is no one who can fight God and win. But—huge caveat—if ANY part of our life is NOT yielded to Christ; well, that is the part WE must defend. We will NEVER defeat evil—without God’s presence.
My friend, the best way to handle false accusations is to make sure your life is 100% yielded to God. Your life is far too precious to be entrusted to your own wisdom or lived for your own glory. We were bought with an unfathomable price.
“[D]o you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NKJV
If you have been born again, then you are already plugged into God’s Spirit. Turn on the light in your life. How? Read and study His Word. Talk with Him; have constant communication with Him. Become an active member of a church community. Begin to think, talk, and live according to His Word. Then, your life will be 100% about HIM and He will be your Defender and Protector all of the time—including in times of trouble.
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord,
‘He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.’
Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you.”
Psalms 91:1-7 NKJV
We would love to hear your thoughts about this devotional. Did God speak to you or challenge your daily walk with him? Or is there a topic that you would like Kimberly to cover or expound on? Please share with us in the comments below.
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2 Responses
God is our ultimate defender. All we must do is trust in him
Amen!