Our Enemy: The Accuser!
Audrey:
“And he will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gate”
(Psalm 127:5b)
Nobody likes being accused. To add insult to injury, not only do others accuse us, but we turn on ourselves, add self-judgment and agree with the lie. Accusations are sneaky. And we want to combat them with Holy-Spirit-Wisdom this week. So let’s join forces, my dear friend! Let’s support each other in our plan of attack to:
- Abolish accusations out of our mind and hearts
- Identifying how they got there in the first place
Bob:
I’m not sure what’s worse than being falsely accused. To have false witness spoken out against you, leaving you with little to no defense can leave you feeling powerless and hopeless.
How you respond to mistreatment is one of the most important aspects of your spiritual life. When we respond the right way, we climb higher—or our roots grow deeper—in the soil of God’s love. When we respond the wrong way, we get bitter. Over time, that bitterness will dull our ability to sense the presence of God or discern His voice. Bitterness is consuming and you believe you can pick it up or set it down at any time but it is actually holding you.
How have you in the past responded when accusing words or actions have been used against you? How have you handled accusing thoughts that want to limit your life and condemn you? What response can they trigger out of you?
What I don’t want is to swap insult for insult. What I don’t want is to relinquish my responsibilities while demanding my rights.
Jesus gave this parable to talk about the importance of hearing and acting on what He says…
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24,25) Jesus goes on to say, “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love; just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” (John 15:10,11)
The commandments of God: They are His prescription for how life is best lived. They’re not His way of restricting your life but rather, He’s wanting you to experience life in abundance!
2 Corinthians 10:5 says
“…we are taking every thought captive according to the obedience of Christ.” Okay, what kind of thoughts are we to take captive? Thoughts that come to your mind that are contrary to what God says about Himself, you or about other people. Any thoughts of condemnation and accusation are never from God.
God’s Word is Truth. It supersedes the facts of my life, my thoughts, emotions, and experiences. The truth is where I find my bedrock upon which I am able to stand. The Word of God says that “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God stands forever.” (Isaiah 40:8) David in the Psalms said, “Your Word…is a light to my path.” (Psalms 119:105)
We can stand up to any situation, any thought or feeling and turn to our Rock (Psalms 18:46), the One who loves us and guides us into all truth. (John 16:13) Satan may try to tempt you, discourage you, defeat you, and most definitely accuse you. But he is a liar, and we need to confront his lies with the truth of God’s Word. When we actively take up our shield of faith in God’s Word, we stand in His victory and might.
“Praise be to the Lord, my Rock, who trains my
hands for war, my fingers for battle.
He is my loving God and my fortress,
my stronghold and my deliverer,
my shield, in whom I take refuge…”
Psalms 144:1,2
“It is good to give thanks to the Lord
And to sing praise to Your name, O Most High.
To declare Your loving kindness in the morning,
And Your faithfulness by night.”
Psalms 92:1,2
Audrey:
The Word of God is such an incredible force to confront accusations!
A couple of things happened to me (Audrey) this week that has helped me understand how accusations happen. The following two circumstances seemed unrelated until Jesus lovingly turned on the light of revelation (Don’t you love how the Lord helps us in times of trouble?) I’ll spare you the details, but I’ll share the headlines, because I wouldn’t be surprised if something similar may happen to you from time to time:
Real-life-Situation #1
I was asked to participate and help in a situation that was out of the ordinary for me. I agreed and put myself “out there” basically out of my comfort zone. I did my very best and really committed the task to the Lord. I felt like my heart was in the right place, but immediately following the task, I questioned myself: Does it feel like you kind of failed? Hmmm…maybe? Does it feel like you really aren’t that good at that? Hmmm…kind of? Maybe you just aren’t good enough. Within seconds, thoughts came to my head, and it ignited a desperate need: I need reassurance. I need encouragement. I need someone who witnessed me doing that to let me know that I accomplished the task well!
It never happened. At least not from the person/people I hoped it would come from. The result? The door was opened for an accusation to step in and create some havoc in my emotions and self-confidence.
Real-life-Situation #2
I made a decision that inconvenienced somebody. Not necessarily, someone, I knew well, not a family member, just one of our kids’ teachers. I assumed that what I did was completely fine and “not that big of a deal”. Well, what to me was “no big deal” was an “extremely big deal” to this other person. (How many times does that scenario happen in relationships?!) I ate a huge piece of humble pie and apologized profusely. Unfortunately, I couldn’t undo what I had done, and this ignited a need: I need mercy. I need to be accepted even though I made a poor decision.
It never happened. Mercy was blatantly refused. I got punishment instead. And no resolve or closure. The result? The door was opened for me to accuse him, making me grumpy.
ASSUME THE WHY
When our needs aren’t met, and we immediately jump to judgment and ask WHY? We presume, we assume, we believe the worst, and we go down this road FAST. When we judge motives, and we attach significance to these types of situations, by default we begin to agree with accusations.
But not today! We are identifying where they came from, and we get to look into our own heart and say, I’m going to stop assuming that I’m a failure. I’m going to stop assuming that that person is personally attacking me because I’m such a loser. I’m going to stop assuming the worst, and begin living with compassion for others – including compassion for myself!
WHAT NOW
Instead of asking “why”, let’s clarify and ask “what now”. That’s empowering! If somebody close to you has hurt you, and you are tempted to accuse, stop yourself and ask them, “I felt like this____________________when you said or did that. Is that what you meant?” You can diminish lofty arguments pretty darn quick if you nip it in the bud and get to the truth before it gets emotional!
If you begin to condemn yourself and debilitate your confidence with discouraging accusations, stop yourself and ask, “Is this how God feels about me? Is this what Jesus is saying to me right now? You can diminish the enemies lies fast if you catch them as soon as they start!
DECLARATION
Don’t just say, I’ve got to CHANGE. That’s like rejecting yourself and calling yourself “not good enough”.
Instead, declare this is my day for TRANSFORMATION. That’s activating the real you because of who you REALLY are, because of Jesus. You are a new creation. The real you is full of mercy, speaks the truth in love, in not afraid to confront accusations and believes the best.
Because you are a child of God, a new creation, alive in Jesus, you have no shame. Receive that amazing gift of forgiveness, cleansing, a right standing with God, peace in your heart, and love for your life. Don’t let accusations steal one more minute of your JOY!
APPLY TO LIFE
To get super-practical, comment under this blog:
Accusations have told me that I’m__________________
HOWEVER,
Because of Jesus, I am__________________.
We will be reading your comments and be praying life and breakthrough into your heart and life. We are in agreement with God’s best for you!
Love in Jesus,
Audrey and Bob