The Most Helpful Way to Respond to False Accusations
When I read false accusations about the things some say Christians believe, I typically think . . . no one asked me.
Here are some of the things the internet shares about Christians…
- They’re against more than they’re for.
- They belittle and demean women.
- They hate homosexuals.
- They want to control how everyone lives.
- They’re all hypocrites.
And as I thought about that list, I realized Solomon really was right…
History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new.
Ecclesiastes 1:9
Of course, Solomon wasn’t talking about Christians, he was talking about life in general but when I read Psalm 43 again, I realized that things haven’t changed all that much.
We shouldn’t be surprised. We’re fighting the same enemy today and he has always loved lying and making false accusations about God’s children. Christians are far from perfect but the above generalizations aren’t true of Jesus or those who follow Him.
The Temple assistants who wrote this Psalm felt unjustly accused…
Vindicate me, God,
Psalm 43:1 (CSB)
and champion my cause against an unfaithful nation;
rescue me from the deceitful and unjust person.
3,000 years ago, people were spreading lies about God’s children and they were discouraged. And like many today, their first reaction was to be upset with both their accusers and God.
For you are the God of my refuge.
Psalm 43:2 (CSB)
Why have You rejected me?
Why must I go about in sorrow
because of the enemy’s oppression?
Can you relate?
We trust that God is our refuge and strength . . . our place of safety but when we’re facing untrue accusations, we’re tempted to feel abandoned and oppressed—discouraged and distressed.
That’s why it’s important to see what they wrote next.
Send out Your light and Your truth;
Psalm 43:3–4 (NLT)
let them guide me.
Let them lead me to Your holy mountain,
to the place where You live.
There I will go to the altar of God,
to God—the source of all my joy.
I will praise You with my harp,
O God, my God!
What fights false accusations? God’s light and His truth!
God’s truth shows us the way to live and His light guides us.
Jesus said…
When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth.
John 16:13 (NLt)
Peter wrote…
You are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light.
1 Peter 2:9 (NLT)
When you and I are faced with false accusations, the best thing we can do is go to the One who is light and truth.
Let’s pray…
A Prayer to Know God’s Truth
to Respond to False Accusations
Father, it’s hard when people spread false accusations about us. When generalizations and assumptions are made based on the failures of a few. And it’s especially hard when discrimination or persecution becomes the reaction to those allegations.
Lord, we need You! We need Your help. We need Your forgiveness for the sins we commit that lead to those attitudes and accusations. And we need Your grace to vindicate us before those who accuse us.
So, we come to You and ask You to guide us with Your light and Your truth. Show us the way You want us to live and respond. Guide us to that place where You will give us Your peace. Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) And David wrote, “You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence.” (Psalm 16:11a)
When the enemy of our souls turns the world against us, You declare us loved, chosen, and Your very own possession. So, I will put my hope in You. You are my Lord and Savior. You are deserving of all my praise now and forever. Amen.
The Lord is our place of safety and rest.
Spend some quiet time with Him today. Share your concerns and frustrations and invite Him to speak His perfect hard to understand peace into your heart and soul. Remember the times He has watched over you and protected you in the past. And trust Him to guide you with His light and truth. Then pause and praise Him for His unfailing love and faithfulness.
Remember…
It is God’s absolute truth that is able to dispel false accusations and His light that guides us and helps us live according to His will. Because loving like Jesus is the best way to respond when we’re unjustly accused.
So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.
John 13:34
May the Lord bless you and give you everything you need to make love, peace, and joy your response to false accusations.
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Just what I have been needing to see! Thank you, Deb, for this spot on blog post. Had been feeling down and discouraged despite doing my best to move forward with love towards those in my local church who actually thought it was funny to hurl certain actions my way.
May the God of my understanding bless you and your outreach ministry blog.
Thank you, Faith! I’m so glad you were blessed and encouraged by this. I’m sorry you have gone through such a bad experience at your church. Praying and asking the Lord to surround you with His love and His followers who will bless and encourage you. We’d love for you to join us here. We have a great group of friends who are faithful to speak encouragement and kindness to each other. Hope you’ll join us. God bless you!
Love, peace and joy – Those should always be our response to false accusations. We know that God is ultimately in control.
Blessings, Deb!
Amen Deb! I read so much in the Bible, that to me are current events. I shake my head and pray for those who spout off the counterfeit lies of satan. But the Bible also tell us that Christians have and will always be persecuted. They hated Jesus, they hate us. I look so forward to Christ’s return, but it makes me sad, that so many will find out the wrath of God that day too. One day it will be too late for the persecutors. We have to keep praying and keep loving…
Keep praying and loving! I completely agree, Kathy! May the Lord give us His grace to share and surround us with His love and protection. Blessings, my friend!
Amen, Martha! It’s not always easy but because it is what God tells us is His will, we can trust Him to give us what we need to trust and obey. Blessings to you!
Learning to love and forgive those who falsely accuse us is not an easy thing to do. It hurts so much when it happens. Especially when it is in family. Knowing that our loving God knows the truth and works things out for our good, helps.
This is such a good group of folks who support each other and pray for each other. Thanks to all and to you, Deb for bringing us all together with your wisdom.
I agree, Sue! I am so very thankful for each one of you. You bless and encourage me every day. May the Lord bless and encourage you.
It is very difficult to forgive when it is family that accused us. The only way to cope with it is to take it to the cross. We must trust in our Lord by praying and talking with him daily to give us grace, love, peace to forgive others. Nothing is impossible for him as long as we have him in our life’s and believe in him. Have a blessed night and thank you Deb for your wonderful podcast that helps become closer to God.????
I’m so very sorry, Ana. That is a painful challenge. You’re right, the only way to cope and stay strong is to rely on the Lord’s promises and turn to Him in prayer. May He bless you and hold you close.