False Accusations
Part 1: How Jesus Responds to Difficult People & Circumstances
Have you ever been accused of something that wasn’t true?
It’s an awful feeling. I’m sure all of us can think of a situation, big or small, where this has happened. But what did you do about it?
Did you get defensive? Argumentative? Did you revert to worry or fear? Did you get emotional trying to defend yourself?
Can I share a time when this happened to me? I was accused of not being a Christian by someone close to me. I needed space and stepped away from this particular relationship after realizing something wasn’t quite right. But when I tried to create that space to reflect, this person didn’t like that they couldn’t contact and control me. This person sent harassing messages and then took a shot at my faith. They had enjoyed getting reactions out of me so many times, and this time I decided I wasn’t going to give them one.
At that moment, I wanted to defend myself and point out how this person didn’t even know what they were talking about- they didn’t really know God nor did they read the Bible. I was angry. But because the accusation was sent via text message, I had more time to think and therefore didn’t respond. If it was an in-person conversation, I don’t know that I would have had the same restraint.
When I think about it now, I know the person sent those text messages out of fear. They knew they were losing me. They knew they had pushed me too far, and they wanted to take a dig at me and my faith. If they couldn’t control me, they wanted to destroy me (in an emotional way). Sound like someone else we know? When we aren’t following Jesus, we are against Jesus, and it’s much easier to succumb to the devil’s tactics (Matt. 12:30). It was Satan’s way of trying to trap me into going back to old habits and believing lies. God was breaking through in that darkness- patiently guiding and showing me the truth.
We’re not alone in our experiences of being accused of things that aren’t true. Jesus was often falsely accused. On several occasions, Jesus was accused by the Pharisees of getting His power from Satan. So how did He respond in situations where he was personally attacked?
In Matthew 9:34, we read about one such instance. Jesus is accused of being empowered by the prince of demons. But we don’t see any response from Jesus. He stays silent and continues doing what He came to do. His message of forgiveness and restoration to God was more important than giving in to feeble attempts from the Pharisees to discredit and slander Him. Jesus let His actions do the talking for Him.
But then another time, we see Jesus rebuke the Pharisees in Matthew 12. Jesus had just healed a demon-possessed blind man. People were amazed at the miracle, but the Pharisees weren’t impressed because their pride had blinded them. Once again, they accused Jesus of getting his power from Satan. In Jesus’ response to them, he rebukes the Pharisees by plainly stating the truth. He says that Satan fighting Satan would not survive- he would be destroyed. He then goes on to ask them a question, “For who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger- someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house” (Matt. 12:29 NLT). Only someone sent by God could combat Satan because He is stronger than Satan; the Pharisees’ logic made no sense. Jesus also questions them as to whether they would accuse their own exorcists of the same thing (Matt. 12:27).
In both instances of Matthew 9 and 12, the Pharisees weren’t interested in the truth, they just wanted to trap Jesus and use Him for their gain. They were losing control, so they lashed out in anger and used false accusations to draw others away from Jesus. But Jesus exposes what’s in their hearts.
So, what can we take away from Jesus’ response or lack thereof to the Pharisees when He was accused of something that wasn’t true?
First, there’s a time to stay silent. This is where we need the Lord’s discernment. Silence doesn’t always mean we are condoning someone’s words or behavior; it can just mean we are ignoring it. There are times when people say or do things just to get at us- they want a reaction. But what’s more important? Reacting with our words or showing with actions our true character?
Like Jesus, we have to evaluate if it’s worth our time and effort to respond to such a person. Jesus tells us directly, “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces” (Matt. 7:6). Jesus is saying we shouldn’t entrust the Holy Word of God to someone whose heart and mind isn’t open to hearing it. It’s a waste of our time, and that person will just continue to slander and tear apart what we say. In Proverbs, we also receive lots of wisdom on not responding to fools (23:9, 18:2, 12:23). Wise people turn to the Lord for guidance and truth about their value and worth and are not swayed by foolish words that try to get a reaction out of us.
Secondly, we do see Jesus openly rebuke the Pharisees in Matthew 12. He sees what’s in their hearts. We may not be able to see what’s in a person’s heart, but we can see a pattern of words and actions that point one way or another- toward Jesus or away from Him. Jesus saw the need to correct the Pharisees on this occasion because they were leading people away from the truth. I would speak up too if someone were leading my children astray with false teachings! The Pharisees were continuing to spread lies; it wasn’t just a one-time thing.
Jesus poses several questions in Matthew 12. He chooses this way to respond because it makes people think. A question allows us to reflect on our logic and answer the “why” behind what we believe. This not only gave the Pharisees the opportunity to question their logic, but it also gave anyone else who might be listening an opportunity to think and compare what the Pharisees and Jesus were stating. Those who had ears to hear would know the truth.
Like Christ, we will all encounter difficult people and situations. We constantly need to be seeking our Lord for guidance in how to respond. At the end of our days, God will judge our words and actions, and He is the One who ultimately sees what’s in our hearts (Matthew 12:34-36). It’s beyond comforting to know we are not alone in our experiences. As Christians, we should expect hardships and false accusations to come. We won’t always respond like Christ, but when we are guided by the truth of God’s Word and the Holy Spirit, we are bound to be transformed from the inside out to become more like Him. And with that, we will become resilient when the arrows are flung at us, growing in endurance in our faith.
**This is my first article of many to come looking into how Jesus responds to difficult people and situations.
Pt. 2: Tempted to Believe Lies: Misinterpreted Scripture
Pt. 3: Cross or Comfort: Misguided Advice & Opinions
Pt. 4: Enticed By Words: Flattery
Photo by Keira Burton
This is so good, Amber. Look forward to more in this series.
Thank you, Diane. God bless!
“Have you ever been accused of something that wasn’t true?” Absolutely!
“Jesus was often falsely accused.”
I do know that there are people who do this all the time and rather than being the standard backstabbing swine that some people actually are, they want to stab their victim in the heart for the most pain and suffering they can inflict, coming from pure unadulterated jealousy, hatred and evil; which is the Devil’s work, making it so far removed from kindness and love that it can be!
These additional excerpts stand out to me and are fine tuning of one’s perspective and approach to this horrid human dilemma and actual danger we are faced with living in a very dysfunctional, disturbed and sinful world loaded with treachery! We have seen in the highest levels of US Government the “weaponized accusation,” say like the things Adam Schiff pulled out of thin air, total fabrication concocted and held up as truth or fact to then be unleashed regularly as a preferential means of destroying the opposition in politics and business short of murdering the person; which in some instances would be merciful in a twisted sense of not tormenting another human being so horribly! We are living in a time of the Scarlet Letter on Exponentially Steroid Infused Mass Media Witch Hunters with a passion for bringing sensationalism and ruin to the victim of the day! I got out of the Mass Media Industry as a photographer long ago just because of this insanity and wickedness I saw in it; and a wise choice I must say; as I would not have been able to sustain my own self-worth or integrity being a part of such a demented thinking or behavior and evil machine! This is how I see the internet now in many respects so its not a fun and good thing that far too many absolutely believe; bigger players than any of us little fish are looking to captivate and then control all of us with this place we think of as safe enough! A fool’s errand we are on!
“Like Jesus, we have to evaluate if it’s worth our time and effort to respond to such a person. Jesus tells us directly, “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces” (Matt. 7:6).
This is so true and applies to this internet big time! Stanger’s in a Strange sick land!
“In Proverbs, we also receive lots of wisdom on not responding to fools (23:9, 18:2, 12:23). Wise people turn to the Lord for guidance and truth about their value and worth and are not swayed by foolish words that try to get a reaction out of us.”
Far too many are doing the opposite here in the Cyber World thinking they have all these friends and that they can keep building a so called community of followers, all the clicks or likes from newbies and call them friends when this couldn’t be further from the Truth! That “Fool’s Errand” kicking in totally!
“Secondly, we do see Jesus openly rebuke the Pharisees in Matthew 12. He sees what’s in their hearts. We may not be able to see what’s in a person’s heart, but we can see a pattern of words and actions that point one way or another- toward Jesus or away from Him.”
This is powerful because it just cuts to the chase, and we can never come infinitesimally close to seeing what’s in the heart of another person on the internet; “Impossible and stupid to try!!!” You must know people in person over much time and “Real” interactions living life as God intended to be able to catch that glimpse of what’s going on in another person’s heart or maybe a mixed up head; like so many drama queens do here wanting their looks or ego to sell something to the public at large, and they are so “vain” and sick but don’t think so! But they are all using each other and even abusing with their mask of LIES held up with a camouflage of some truths like scriptures or some scientific facts! Some married couples find out after years they really didn’t know what was in the other’s head or heart; and at least many kin folk find this out the hard way!
“Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, Vanity of vanities! All is vanity” Ecclesiastes 1:2
“At the end of our days, God will judge our words and actions, and He is the One who ultimately sees what’s in our hearts.” (Matthew 12:34-36).
Yes Amber; that is it in a nutshell!!!
So as the adage goes; “buyers beware!” Watch out because you don’t know what is really in there, be it someone’s head, heart or cyberspace which is mostly; a WASTE!
God bless you and yours!
Brother in Christ Jesus,
Lawrence
Thank you, Lawrence. Yes, lots of real-world examples happening right now. It’s so important we stay rooted in God’s Word to know how to navigate these tumultuous situations. Thanks for your insight here.
I’m honored to try helping Amber! “So important we stay rooted in God’s Word to know how to navigate these tumultuous situations.” Yes Sister; that is putting it in proper perspective, which allows us to do what my Dad always told me, is most important in dealing with any problem in life especially with people; how “it’s all in the approach!” Thanks for making me remember that!
Blessings and peace to you and yours always! Amen.
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Amber, I can so relate. thank you for the transparent post and for great wisdom in how to respond as Jesus does! God bless you. Mary
Thank you, again, Mary! God bless you as well! I appreciate you reading and commenting.
Very thought-provoking. I find it’s often wise to remain silent rather than respond defensively, or with a knee-jerk reaction. It’s in the waiting that I gain insight into what might be going on in me, and in the other person – and, perhaps, what might be going on at a spiritual level. I’ve learned that my initial understanding tends to be both “me-focused” and incomplete. It takes time to be in the place where I can get God’s perspective, and then His direction on what to say or do.
Yes, very good insight. I think it is very hard not to take things personally- especially false accusations when we initally hear them. We definitely have to step back and look at the bigger picture- the person, their motives, and seeking the Lord to see if it’s really worth our time to respond. Waiting can be so hard but it’s often much needed!
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