It's horrible to be accused

Life offers many opportunities to make mistakes.

On the job, at school, out in the public with strangers, with friends, and family, each situation carries dangers for errors.

Sometimes we lack knowledge.

At other times, we forgot the procedure.

Most of the time, we're ACCUSED because many expect perfection.

"YOU are to be blamed," someone shouts.

"It's YOUR fault, not mine," another says.

"How could you be so STUPID?!"

"You screwed up AGAIN!"

Were all of these false accusations?

Probably not.

Did we intend to do or say something less than perfect in another's view?

Probably not.

Often it seems, accusations are more subtle.

"I didn't like what you said back there."

"You shouldn't have opened that then."

"Didn't you see that my glance at you meant to stop talking?"

HOW can we train ourselves to respond with kindness to any type of accusation?

Do we think that to be kind and tenderhearted is necessary?

Paul stated,

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice.

Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32

JEWISH PROPHET ACCUSED

The Bible has some examples of accusations and the replies.

A king in Israel, Ahab, 1 Kings 16:29 said to Elijah, a prophet, 1 Kings 18:1

"Is that you, O troubler of Israel?" 1 Kings 18:17

What did Elijah answer?

"I have not troubled Israel," Elijah replied, "but you and your father's house have, for you have forsaken the commandments of the Lord and have followed the Baals." [false gods] 1 Kings 18:18

Would Elijah's answer please New Testament writers?

Was it in grace and truth? John 1:17

Was it truth spoken in love? Ephesians 4:15

Was it with grace [undeserved favor], seasoned with salt? Colossians 4:6

JESUS UNDER ATTACK

Jewish leaders accused Jesus.

Then the whole council rose and led Jesus away to Pilate.

And they began to accuse Him, saying,

"We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding payment of taxes to Caesar, and proclaiming Himself to be Christ, a King." Luke 23:1-2

How did Jesus respond?

He said nothing.

So Pilate asked Him,

"Are You the King of the Jews?"

"You have said so," Jesus replied.

Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds,

"I find no basis for a charge against this man." Luke 23:3-4

MORE ACCUSATIONS AGAINST JESUS

Herod questioned Jesus at great length, but He gave no answer.

Meanwhile, the chief priests and scribes [experts in the Law of Moses] stood there, vehemently accusing Him.

And even Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked Him. Dressing Him in a fine robe, they sent Him back to Pilate. Luke 23:9-11

Jesus did NOT reply to Herod's questions, to the accusations of the chief priests and scribes, nor to the ridiculing and mocking of Herod and his soldiers.

Do most of us try to defend ourselves quickly when accused?

Sometimes silence is the best answer.

When they heaped abuse on Him [Jesus], He did not retaliate;

when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him [the Father] Who judges justly. 1 Peter 2:23

STEPHEN and HIS ANGELIC FACE

Now Stephen, who was full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. Acts 6:8

He was met with resistance by several groups and they argued with him.

But they could not stand up to his wisdom or the Spirit by Whom he spoke. Acts 6:9-10

Then they prompted some men to say,

"We heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God." Acts 6:11

Other false witnesses accused Stephen. Acts 6:13-14

Before he defended himself, the Jewish leaders "saw that his face was like the face of an angel." Acts 6:15

The first 50 verses in Acts chapter 7 give Stephen's reply, which is a summary of Jewish biblical history.

But then, Stephen spoke the truth that was like a rod hitting them. 1 Corinthians 4:21

"You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears!

You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did.

Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute?

They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One.

And now you are His betrayers and murderers— you who received the law ordained by angels, yet have not kept it." Acts 7:51-53

Was Stephen wrong to say such things?

Was the Lord Jesus Christ wrong to call some people hypocrites, Matthew 15:7-9; 22:18; 23:13-15 blind leaders of the blind, Matthew 15:14; 23:16 whitewashed tombs, Matthew 23:27 and snakes? Matthew 23:33

Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit, faith, and wisdom. Acts 6:3, 5

His face shone like an angel's. Exodus 34:29-30, 35; Acts 6:15; 2 Corinthians 3:7

As he was being stoned to death for his words, he was also full of the Holy Spirit, saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right side of the Father. Acts 7:55-56

All of these could indicate that Stephen spoke what the Lord wanted.

Jesus was the fullness of divine life in a human body. Philippians 2:5-6; Colossians 2:9

Jesus had the Holy Spirit without measure. Matthew 3:16-17; Luke 4:14; John 3:34

Jesus said that He spoke only what the Father wanted. John 12:49-50

Jesus is the Savior of the world. John 3:16-17; 12:47

Sometimes truth, even when spoken in divine love, cuts to the heart of those UNWILLING to embrace it. Acts 13:46; 2 Thessalonians 2:10

Some respond with violence as with Stephen. Acts 7:54, 57-58

But the truth also can pierce those who have honest and good hearts. Luke 8:15

Some turn to the Lord. Acts 2:37-41

PETER and JOHN ACCUSED

A lame man from birth was healed. Acts 3:1-9

While Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them,

greatly disturbed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.

They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in custody until the next day. Acts 4:1-3

They had Peter and John brought in and began to question them:

"By what power or what name did you do this?" Acts 4:7

How did the apostles answer the Jewish religious leaders? Acts 4:5-6

It was what Peter had told the crowd that gathered after the lame man was healed --

It wasn't by the apostles' power or holiness. Acts 3:12

Peter said,

"By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know has been made strong.

It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through Him that has given him this complete healing in your presence." Acts 3:16

In some situations, the Holy Spirit will give believers a divine response when they need it. Luke 12:11-12

Peter was filled with the Spirit and his defense was that it was Jesus and His name that did the healing. Acts 4:8-12

If we're accused because we did something in Jesus' name that people didn't like, so be it.

Tell the truth that this isn't human work but it's the Father and Jesus, the Son, John 5:17-20 by the Holy Spirit working. Matthew 12:28

If we're told to stop doing this and also don't tell others about Jesus, Acts 4:13-18 what could our answer be?

But Peter and John replied,

"Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to listen to you rather than God.

For we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard." Acts 4:19-20

PAUL ACCUSED

After we had been there several days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.

Coming over to us, he took Paul's belt, bound his own feet and hands, and said,

"The Holy Spirit says: 'In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and hand him over to the Gentiles.'" Acts 21:10-11

This is what happened to Paul. Acts 21:27-33

It was a theme in his life; to suffer for the name of Jesus Acts 13:50-52; 14:19-22; 16:19-24 as the Lord predicted. Acts 9:16

A common defense of Paul's against accusations was to retell how he saw the risen Savior and was saved by Him. Acts 22:2-16; 26:2-19

As someone has said,

"Be ready to tell others about how you were saved by the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 3:15-16

And do it in 60 seconds or less."

At other times, Paul tailored his messages to his audiences, whether primarily Jews Acts 13:15-41 or non-Jews. Acts 17:22-31

In each, he would mention Jesus appropriately, Acts 13:23-39 even if indirectly, Acts 17:30-31 to spark their curiosity. Acts 17:31-32

These can be good lessons for us, even if we're accused falsely.

If we focus on God the Father's love and salvation that's offered to the world through the Lord Jesus Christ, John 3:16-17 and how and when WE received this, we've been His witnesses. John 15:27; Acts 1:8

Your thoughts?

R. Jason