What Do You Do When You Are Falsely Accused?

I was once responsible for planning an outreach event. I was in contact with various church members who committed to providing some of the items needed for the event. When the leadership asked about our status, I assured them we had everything we needed. However, when one church member didn't follow through with her verbal commitment, I had to redouble my efforts and ask around for contributions again.

Later, I was approached by one of the main leaders who challenged me in an accusatory tone, saying, “I thought you said you already had what you needed.” To top it off, this church leader directed the accusation toward me in front of other church members, making me look like a liar.

A quick choice confronted me. Do I defend myself and tell them it wasn't me who had been dishonest, but rather someone else? Do I name names? I could have easily said this particular woman had assured me she was contributing the needed supplies, but then fell through on her commitment. I could have easily pinned the blame on her.

But there was a catch. The person in question happened to be highly regarded by the leadership. She had been around much longer than me and had a lot more influence.

In that moment, I felt the Holy Spirit nudging me to keep my mouth shut. It wasn’t easy. I knew my silence was damaging my reputation. I could feel the accusing eyes of everyone in the room. But the Lord quickly reminded me of 1 Peter 4:8: “Love covers a multitude of sins.” The Lord was asking me to save one person’s reputation at the expense of my own.

Now, I'm not saying there aren't times when we should speak up and defend ourselves. Of course, there are. But there have been numerous times when God has asked me to keep my mouth closed in the face of my accusers. Why? Because God has a way of turning these situations around better than I can.

Jesus kept his mouth shut when He stood before various accusers after His arrest. During a series of indictments, Jesus either stayed silent or offered only brief answers. He did not feel the need to babble on and on in an effort to explain Himself. I think He was setting an example for us all.

“Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?”  But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.” (Mark 14:60-61)

Jesus knew that time and future events would defend Him. In the gospel of Luke, He said, “For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.” (Luke 8:17)

Through the comparatively minor accusations I have faced, I have learned that I have a Father in heaven who defends and protects me. I may not understand all the reasons, but when God tells me to keep my mouth closed, I need to listen.

I've faced much more difficult false accusations since the one mentioned above. Back then, God was teaching me a lesson and helping me to grow in love. In the end, the woman who made me look bad became someone for whom I had great compassion. She had been through some very difficult times herself and had faced a lot of hurtful situations in life. 

I don't always forgive quickly and I don't always walk in all the love that I should. But in this case, the Lord allowed me to grow in His grace and in His love for another human being. And that is always worth any struggle we face.

Exposing Secret Agendas

The average, television crime drama is notoriously predictable. It's only a matter of time before the bad guy goes down. The more a character exudes the lust for power and greed, the more obvious his impending demise becomes. 

But the sealing of one’s own doom isn’t just the stuff of television and movies. It happened in the Bible, and unfortunately, it happens in real life. My own life used to be full of self-motivation and destructive decisions. Change came through a relationship with Christ and a changed heart. But none of us is exempt from temptation and all its deception.

The Bible tells the story of one couple’s lust for power and prominence.

“Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet. Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? (Acts 5:1-3)

So what’s going on in this story? Well, a married couple decides to do what many of the early followers of Christ did, which was to share what they had for the sake of Christ. These believers were not coerced. They shared all they had by their own choice. They were motivated by a pure heart and true transformation that comes from knowing Christ.

But unlike their counterparts, Ananias and Sapphira chose self-promotion and greed over humility and generosity. The problem was not that they kept a portion of the proceeds of the sale of land for themselves, but that they lied about it. I imagine the angels in heaven shaking their heads in grief as Ananias, and later Sapphira, blatantly lied, not only in the presence of the disciples, but also in the very presence of God. Their foolish actions were a recipe for disaster.

Where there is a lack of the fear of the Lord, foolishness is inevitable. The presumption that comes with a lack of a sincere fear of the Lord opens the door to spiritual blindness and every kind of deception. And sometimes it even leads to death.

As Peter continued to berate Ananias, he emphasized that Ananias did not only lie to men but to God. (Acts 5:4) And then came destruction. “Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last.” (Acts 5:5a) That’s correct. Ananias fell over dead in the presence of God and the disciples.

So what was the actual cause of death? Some scholars contend than an angel struck him dead, as was the case with Herod (see Acts 12:23). Others believe he was slain by his own conscience – that perhaps the presence and anointing of God was so strong it overwhelmed him with the revelation of his guilt. Either way, death struck him. And when his wife came in and lied in the same manner, Peter prophesied her demise and she fell over dead as well: 

"At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. (Acts 5:9-10)

Whoa! This event took place after the ascension of Jesus! Why? Because the power of God was in full operation. The book of Hebrews declares “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) Some would even contend that as the anointing of God grows stronger in the last days, witnessing people drop dead because of the presence of God is not out of the realm of possibility. And it's definitely an attention grabber.

When folks start dropping dead, word gets around. “So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.” (Acts 5:11)  Now, do I believe we need to live in fear that God is going to suddenly smite us? Certainly not. However, this story should serve as a strong caution, reminding us that we can’t toy with pretending to be one way in front of God and people and all the while having secret, self-serving motives.

Yes, we all stumble and we are all guilty of selfish motives at times. None of us exemplify perfect character traits at every turn. But throughout our trials and our seasons of growth, we don't have to fall into foolish self-destruction. Humility and honesty will keep us safe. God will hide you in the shadow of his wings. When you repent, His love will cover your sin.

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