Years ago when my children were young I remember reading a great book called “This Present Darkness” by Frank Peretti. The one thing that stood out to me in that book was how false accusations could be so destructive. We all at some level or another have experienced having someone knowingly say something about you which is not true. I can honestly say I have never done this myself, at least knowingly, but have seen it done many times and have had it done to me as well. Nothing is more frustrating when this happens because there is nothing you can do. You can only stand by and hope others will not believe them. For the most part all you can do is move on and hope that one day the truth will be heard. However, like in the book, when someone decides to really hurt you, they can take it up a notch by formalizing the accusation legally. This once happened to someone very close to me. The accuser is a very mean person and was able to convince enough people that my friend actually faced going to jail if the accuser could prove her case. Those were very dark days and my friend reported feeling like she was actually living the book Peretti had written. His book actually gave her peace by pointing her to the best book for times like these, the Bible. She also found a great deal of peace among fellow Christians who knew her and knew the truth. The above photo really helps illustrate the safety felt in the church, even though darkness has surrounded us. My Friend camped on Psalms and Josephs story throughout the ordeal.
These scriptures really helped show her how to prevail in this battle. Psalms and Proverbs taught her the true battle was not with this poor mentally ill woman and her husband, but rather the devil and his fallen angels. For me in similar ordeals I first learned from Psalms to forgive my enemies and pray for them. You would have thought I would have gotten that from knowing Jesus alone! Once my heart was set right, I felt absolute peace and all fear left me. I knew Jesus was with me from that point on. I also knew I was not guaranteed to prevail here on earth, but Jesus was with me and that was all I needed. God allowed me to experience a little of how Joseph felt and how he got through his ordeal. It ended well for Joseph and I, as it did for my friend. After multiple investigations, the charges against her were dropped. The lead investigator actually went on to affirm her and said he would make sure these accuser’s would never be able to do it again in the state of Texas. She was told the accusers had been warned if they did it again, they would be prosecuted. Though legally she had been vindicated, many people still believed this accuser’s lies. The lawyer wanted my friend to sue them saying she had a open and shut case. The Lord wanted her to forgive them and be reconciled. She chose the Lords route and though attempts were made with the accuser, it just was not possible. The husband was another story, they were reconciled. I think how we live and the fruit of our lives will be our best defense against false accusations. After a season, those who continued to believe the lies told by this accuser, one by one came to her and asked for forgiveness and they were reconciled. This friend was so tempted to go after them all when she had the legal power to do so. Like Joseph with his brothers, she could have crushed them. However, the fruit of being reconciled is so much better! God is glorified and the Holy Spirit hosed everyone involved with incredible love and joy. That’s the sweetest revenge, because mankinds true enemy lost!
Isaiah 54:17 “But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord; their vindication will come from me. I, the Lord, have spoken!” (NLT)
1 Peter 3:9 “Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it.” (NLT)
the Jesusfreak
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