Have you been the target of calumnious accusations? You’re in good company!
Satan told God that Job wasn’t truly as wonderful as God made him out to be. Job went through some atrocious times, but was rewarded in the end for his faithfulness. Satan lost that bet!
Calumny: false statements intended to damage someone’s reputation
Jesus and Paul were also targets of calumny (Luke 23, Acts 25). That’s pretty good company, I’d say!
How should we respond when our character is slandered?
Continue doing the right thing.
“It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil” (1 Peter 2:15 NLT).
Leave the results to God.
“But when the leading priests and the elders made their accusations against him, Jesus remained silent” (Matthew 27:12).
Remember that you have an incredible Advocate
“My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world” (1 John 2:1-2).
One day your biggest accuser will get his just reward!
“Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, “It has come at last— salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth— the one who accuses them before our God day and night” (Revelation 12:10).
“Then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever” (Revelation 20:10).
Don’t despair when faced with calumny. Your accuser won’t get the last word!
Lauri Hawley 