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The following comes from the devotional book “What Now?” by Ashley Akers. To learn more, go to www.whatnowdevo.com.
Accusations
Have you ever been accused of something? I have. And I don’t think any of us are exempt from it. For me, working in an office dominated by women guaranteed being accused of something! Jealousy flared up, and out the accusations poured like water when a dam breaks. I would feel the rushing tide and throw on my life jacket so I wouldn’t down. I learned that fighting to keep my head above the flood of accusations was much better than drowning in them and feeling defeated.
Here are a few things I did to stay afloat. First, I literally placed scripture on my computer monitor to remind me of God’s promises and of who I am in Him. Second, I decided to love those who were making the accusations. Third, I focused on Christ and not what other people thought of me. Finally, I learned to filter the accusations for truth. If I had indeed done wrong, I would repent (change my mind) toward God and He would extend forgiveness and not accusation.
Colossians 1:21-22 says, “This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.”
No one is good. No not one. We are all born with a sinful nature, which automatically creates distance between God and us. In order to close that gap for good, Jesus Christ – God wrapped in flesh – walked on this earth as a sinless man. He died in your place and mine. He took the punishment for our sin when His blood was shed on a cross so that we could live forever with Him in heaven. When you accept Christ as your personal Lord and Savior and ask Him to forgive your sins, He does; and He chooses to forget them. It is like your sin never happened. Read Colossians 1:22 above again. You can be “…holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.” When our confidence is solely in Jesus, it doesn’t matter what we have done because He has chosen to wipe our slates clean. Praise God!
Matthew 27:12-14 says, “But when the leading priests and the elders made their accusations against him, Jesus remained silent. ‘Don’t you hear all these charges they are bringing against you?’ Pilate demanded. But Jesus made no response to any of the charges, much to the governor’s surprise.”
When Jesus was accused, He didn’t retaliate or threaten his accusers. He didn’t even say a word. The next time you find yourself being accused, consider being like Jesus. Leave it with God and let Him take care of you.
Reflection Questions
- Read Matthew 27:12-14 again. How does this scripture speak to you and how can you do better in your own life when being accused?
- What have you been accused of in your past that you are still holding on to? Is there any truth in the accusation that you need to repent of?
- Look up the word ‘forgive’ in the dictionary. What is the definition?
- Are you ready to forgive the person that accused you and give it to God? Not forgiving others always hurts you more than it does them.
Copyright © 2024 by Ashley Akers @ whatnowdevo.com. No part of this article may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from Lifeword.org