False Accusation

[Sevenseas]

In the world, we do have trials and we do have difficult times and we may even come to expect such as Jesus warned us about these things.

I am sure some of us have even been falsely accused of saying or doing things we have not done. Perhaps, we have had lies told about us.

Perhaps, we have had our reputation tarnished by gossip or false accusation or even someone talking behind our backs while pretending to

be our friend.

Recently, a friend of mine had another believer accost them and accuse them of saying and doing things that really were not true. Now my

friend was surprised at the accusations and tried to reason with this other person and it seemed that things might get straightened out.

The opposite happened though and now this other believer is spreading gossip and lies about my friend. My friend was quite hurt when they

found out that the other believer has started a 'prayer' group and had told others things that were not true in order to cause themself to

appear righteous. The people praying for this situation do not know the real story behind it all, so of course you cannot fault them, but I think

you have to wonder about the person who is causing this mess and has gone so far as to state that my friend is not a believer.

They do not go to the same church, so it would be difficult to go to the pastor or an elder so this other person is free to say whatever they want

and really, why would anyone doubt them? This person often talks about their love for Jesus and how dedicated they are but in this matter,

it seems they are not acting righteously.

My friend said that after praying about the situation, they believe that God told them not to be in fear about this, but to just trust in Him and He will bring the

truth to light.

There is a thread about loving one's enemies but do we consider another Christian our enemy? Has anyone dealt with this type of situation before

and if so, how did you handle it? Thanks

[Guest LadyC]

of course a fellow christian can be an "enemy" to us personally... shouldn't be, but can be. rivalries happen. personalities can clash. people can just not like one another within the body of Christ.

i had difficulty with a man i didn't like at the church i attended in vegas. really, he was kinda obnoxious, and most people didn't really care much for him. but one of my friends there once whispered to me when she saw i was getting exasperated with him "christie, just remember... Jesus Christ died for his sins, too."

great reminder. just because i didn't like him didn't mean i wasn't supposed to let Jesus love him through me. it was helpful to me to pray that God would help me to have more patience with him, and to help me treat him with kindness. in instances like that, it's better to pray for ourself and our own attitude towards the person than to pray for the other person to change. God listens better when we're asking Him to purify our own heart.

[The_Patriot21]

I would pray for the accusor- but I would also follow the biblical approach- your friend confronted this person alone. Now they need to confront them again except this time take someone like you with. And if that doesnt work approach the pastor or elder of that church and explain the situation-bring your friend (the accused) with you. After all were supposed to all be one body-with different buildings. Just go be respectful and explain the situation and leave it in their hands and trust God to deal with the situation.

[Elhanan]

This "Christian" may not be a Christian who will inherit the kingdom of God if he/she is in the habit of slandering people according to 1 Cor 6:9-10. But to answer your question I think it is commendable that your friend has sought God's counsel on the matter as the natural tendency would be to react and defend oneself. I have not been in such a situation but I have listened to similar testimonies of others who after seeking the Lord's will on the matter, have allowed the Lord to be their defender. If I remember correctly, a book called The Bait of Satan by John Bevere deals with this subject more extensively. Link to article that touches on the topic which might help some: http://www.charismamag.com/spirit/spiritual-warfare/14831-armed-for-the-assauit

[Sevenseas]

of course a fellow christian can be an "enemy" to us personally... shouldn't be, but can be. rivalries happen. personalities can clash. people can just not like one another within the body of Christ.

i had difficulty with a man i didn't like at the church i attended in vegas. really, he was kinda obnoxious, and most people didn't really care much for him. but one of my friends there once whispered to me when she saw i was getting exasperated with him "christie, just remember... Jesus Christ died for his sins, too."

great reminder. just because i didn't like him didn't mean i wasn't supposed to let Jesus love him through me. it was helpful to me to pray that God would help me to have more patience with him, and to help me treat him with kindness. in instances like that, it's better to pray for ourself and our own attitude towards the person than to pray for the other person to change. God listens better when we're asking Him to purify our own heart.

Yes...I think sometimes we think we have to love everybody in the sense that it means we will get along with everybody, but that doesn't really happen, does it !?!

The bigger issue that I see here, is the accusation that my friend might not be a Christian...I am somewhat appalled at that...I mean, maybe you don't get along with someone,

but trying to convince others that a person is not saved because of differences whether real or just imagined?

Thanks

[Sevenseas]

I would pray for the accusor- but I would also follow the biblical approach- your friend confronted this person alone. Now they need to confront them again except this time take someone like you with. And if that doesnt work approach the pastor or elder of that church and explain the situation-bring your friend (the accused) with you. After all were supposed to all be one body-with different buildings. Just go be respectful and explain the situation and leave it in their hands and trust God to deal with the situation.

I like the one body with different buildings ~ considering this option at the moment I think...I don't want to put any pressure on.

[Sevenseas]

This "Christian" may not be a Christian who will inherit the kingdom of God if he/she is in the habit of slandering people according to 1 Cor 6:9-10. But to answer your question I think it is commendable that your friend has sought God's counsel on the matter as the natural tendency would be to react and defend oneself. I have not been in such a situation but I have listened to similar testimonies of others who after seeking the Lord's will on the matter, have allowed the Lord to be their defender. If I remember correctly, a book called The Bait of Satan by John Bevere deals with this subject more extensively. Link to article that touches on the topic which might help some: http://www.charismam...for-the-assauit

Well, they did state that they are innocent...but the other person does not believe them...I don't know the other person, so I am kind of at a loss as to why they seem to think that my friend

is not right in some way. I actually have the book you mention...perhaps I should dig it out and have another read. Thanks for the link...I'll check it out.

[Elhanan]

This "Christian" may not be a Christian who will inherit the kingdom of God if he/she is in the habit of slandering people according to 1 Cor 6:9-10. But to answer your question I think it is commendable that your friend has sought God's counsel on the matter as the natural tendency would be to react and defend oneself. I have not been in such a situation but I have listened to similar testimonies of others who after seeking the Lord's will on the matter, have allowed the Lord to be their defender. If I remember correctly, a book called The Bait of Satan by John Bevere deals with this subject more extensively. Link to article that touches on the topic which might help some: http://www.charismam...for-the-assauit

Well, they did state that they are innocent...but the other person does not believe them...I don't know the other person, so I am kind of at a loss as to why they seem to think that my friend

is not right in some way. I actually have the book you mention...perhaps I should dig it out and have another read. Thanks for the link...I'll check it out.

So sorry; perhaps I did not write clearly enough so I apologize if you did not understand what I wrote. The "Christian" I was referring to was not your friend; it was the other person who appears to be not telling the truth about your friend and is now apparently engaging in slander despite being confronted and the attempt to correct. Hope that clears it up.

[Sevenseas]

I did understand it that way Elhanan...sorry...I read the link you provided and thought the article thought provoking and timely...so thank you! Needs to be shared.

[Guest LadyC]

seven, yeah, it's disturbing when a fellow christian accuses someone of not being a christian. i see it happen here on worthy frequently even. exactly what is "christian" enough? isn't it wonderful that God is the one who judges us based on our heart, and not other people, who tend to judge us according to their own self-righteousness? we can't stop others from gossip. what we can do, still, is pray that God will help us to forgive them and love them in spite of it. those who are hearing the gossip are going to fall into two categories... those who also love to gossip and judge according to their own self-righteousness, and those who recognize the gossip for what it is... malicious and sinful. those people are probably praying for that person right along with you and your friend, even if you and your friend are never made aware of the prayer warriors standing in the gap.

your friend needs to not worry so much about the gossip. i know that's hard. but her actions will speak for themselves... and that's where praying for one's own ability to forgive and show loving kindness comes in handy,.