The power of accusation

The power of accusation - Bill Wilson -

www.dailyjot.com

 

We have watched the power of accusation play out on the national stage during the past few weeks. This power is so strong that it has divided families, communities, states, and even the nation as a whole. It matters not that the people reported to be present in the very room while the very act was taking place have corroborated none of the accusations. It only matters that the accusation was made, it was reported, amplified and believed by many. In this day and age, there are some things that only an accusation need be made and a person's character and reputation are tarnished whether guilty or innocent. You have heard the saying, "The Devil is in the details." Indeed, more so that you can imagine.

 

1 Peter 5:8 says, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour." Revelation 12:10 says, "And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down which accused them before our God day and night." About a third of Ephesians Chapter 6 is dedicated to reminding us how to deal with the Accuser. Verse 11 says, "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." Verse 13 exhorts, "Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."

 

Accusation has such power that even one of the Ten Commandments addresses it: "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor." In Hebrew, it's called "Lashon hara," or evil tongue. Leviticus 19:16 instructs, "Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among your people." The Hebrew writings say it is sin If someone says something negative about a person, or that is not previously known to public, and is seriously not intended to correct or improve a negative situation--even if it is true. The key is speaking the truth in love rather than in anger, condemnation, judgment or, in the case of what we have seen play out recently in our nation, political gain.

 

Proverbs 26:22 says, "The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly." You see, words have meaning. The Lord does not want people making false accusations against one another. Accusations, even if they are true, are not acceptable if their intent is to harm. Proverbs 1 warns against those who lurk privately for the innocent without cause, saying in verse 15, "My son, walk not you in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path." James says that no man can tame the tongue, "it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison." There is deadly power in accusation. While we cannot control the accuser, we can control our response to the accusations. Let's respond with truth and intent to correct and improve-not by getting wrapped up in all the evil these accusations have brought.