How to Endure False Accusations
by Annie Yorty ©2022
This month, we are looking at how Jesus persevered with His plan through betrayal, false accusations, and loneliness. Talk about a toxic environment! During Jesus’ last days on earth, flaming arrows of accusation assailed Him from every direction. There’s so much we can learn from Jesus’ attitudes and actions about how to endure false accusations.
False Accusations against Jesus
It all seems so ludicrous to us now. How could anyone believe that Jesus, God Himself, could possibly be guilty of blaspheming God? Isn’t it obvious that Jesus would never disrespect His own name or that of His Father? Yet that false charge stuck to Jesus, leading to His humiliating execution on a rough wooden cross.
Before we get to feeling too self-righteous, let’s remember that the Bible says we were God’s enemies before He saved us. If we had been in the crowd gathered at Jesus’ trial, our cries would have risen with the demand of the rebels. “Crucify Him!”
For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son (Romans 5:10 NLT).
Since not much is new under the sun, Satan still tempts humans to falsely accuse today. Sooner or later the lies and accusations will come our way.
But we can study the gospels to discover how to endure false accusations from the gracious example of Christ.
How Jesus Endured False Accusations
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Fear God more than people.
If you were to ask me if I care more about what God thinks of me than what people think of me, I’d flippantly answer, “Of course!” In truth, though, I struggle to tolerate a false accusation—even something insignificant. I admit I’m bothered when someone has a wrong impression of me.
Why can’t I shrug these things off? Paul’s words to the Ephesians give us a clue to the answer to this question:
Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant (Galatians 1:10 NLT).
Perhaps I’m worried too much about my reputation with people. Pleasing God should take first place, but isn’t it true that we often put too much stock in what others think of us? That’s why we sometimes chew on false accusations like a cow chewing all day on its cud. We refuse to sit still under a negative or wrong view held by even one person against us.
A simple yearning for truth and justice may be another reason we find it difficult to tolerate a false accusation. Jesus, too, longed for His accusers to recognize the truth about Him, but He trusted God the Father to bring justice at the right time (Matthew 23:37). I’m so thankful that our patient God holds off His justice for a time so all who will come to Him may receive mercy and grace.
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Trust God for your defense.
In the court where Jesus was brought to trial, many people paraded by the judges to swear in false testimony about Jesus. None of it could be corroborated. In fact, Pilate easily saw through the thin fabric of lies the religious leaders had woven to cover Jesus in guilt. Pilate practically begged the mob outside his courtyard to show mercy to Jesus (John 18:38-39).
A good defense lawyer would have been all over the weakness of the case to get his client off. Strangely, though, Jesus pleaded absolutely no defense for Himself. Could you or I have kept quiet in the onslaught of those lies?
Don’t words of denial usually leap to our lips even before an accusation is fully formed?
As a human, Jesus depended on God the Father for everything, including vindication at just the right time. The time would come, but not until after Jesus had suffered and died.
We also may be called by God to wait for vindication. We may even be waiting until heaven to have our name cleared. Note that right after His trial, Jesus carried His cross to Calvary, where He suffered and died with a cloud of injustice hanging over Him.
We are invited by Jesus to take up our own cross and follow Him.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24 NLT).
Perhaps you’re thinking this is just too hard. It’s not normal to not put up your own defense. I’m not saying there’s never a time to advocate for yourself when you’re falsely accused. But when we trust God for our defense, we follow the leading of His Holy Spirit who wisely guides both words and silence.
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Accept judgment of earthly authorities.
“Why don’t you talk to me?” Pilate demanded. “Don’t you realize that I have the power to release you or crucify you?” Then Jesus said, “You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above. So the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin” (John 19:10-11 NLT).
Jesus’ response to Pilate should be our response to any earthly authority. We may not always understand how our circumstances fit into the whole of God’s master plan, but we can believe that He’s in charge.
As you focus on the goodness of your heavenly Father, does it become easier to tolerate false accusations? Ask God to help you perceive how you can glorify Him even as you may be suffering through a fallible earthly system of justice.
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Remember that compassion and humility can produce victory from apparent defeat.
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34a NLT).
Even as Jesus’ life drained, He thought of the welfare of others. Not just the ones, like His own mother, with whom He had developed personal relationships. No, He thought of the jeering mob. He cared for the soldiers gambling for His robe in the shadow of the cross. Of His disciples who had scattered. And of you and me, and all other sinners from the beginning of time. Jesus prayed, asking His Father to forgive all of us for our sinful part in the false accusations that convicted and executed Him.
Furthermore, even after Jesus rose from the dead, He didn’t rub His victory in anyone’s face. Instead, Jesus appeared to His disciples and others, gently restoring them to right relationship after they had betrayed Him, deserting in His time of need. Then He went a step further and gave them, and us, a holy purpose for living.
False Accusations–Destroyer of Peace
Friends, I know from experience how easily false accusations wreak havoc on our peace. Caught in a maelstrom of lies, my mind never rests. I’ve repeated both the charges and my defense not only inside my head but also to others, seeking vindication. Seeking satisfaction.
But I never find satisfaction in these tactics.
Jesus showed us how to endure false accusations as we wait for the truth to come out.
His way is best because Jesus is the Truth (John 14:6).
What injustice are you presently suffering? What peace might flood your heart if you learn how to endure false accusations according to Jesus’ example?
Join the conversation:
What Bible verses have comforted you as you faced false accusations?
I welcome your comments!
How Jesus Handled Betrayal
27 Comments
Deborah Swisher
Very well said, and great insight. It is so important for us to pray for our Accursers. It softens our heart and allows us to give it to God, instead of building up anger and hate which leads us to unGodly actions.
Thank you.
Annie Yorty
So true, Deb. If we don’t pray for them, bitterness consumes and hardens our hearts. Thanks for visiting and joining the conversation!
Hortense
It is so hard to behave well when accused falsely, especially when it’s a re-occuring event in one’s life.
I am writing this from my office after being yelled at for all the wrong reasons. I have been praying about this, and I felt heavy-hearted that’s when I came here in an attempt to find a reason behind all the false accusations in my life.
I have been accused of killing my father and I didn’t know how much this affected me till everything that was blamed on me I started telling myself this can’t be bigger than that. Lately, I thought and found that it has and it happens more often and from everywhere. Sometimes with basis (So, I can understand when they develop it from this), most of the time from nothing at all.
I feel so tired and it hurts deeper than it should now. I guess it’s easier to unpack when you are talking to people you don’t know.
May God keep blessing you abundantly.
Annie Yorty
Thank you for visiting here, Hortense. I’m glad you received some solace in the truth of God’s Word. We cling in trust to Him when we are wrongly accused, knowing He knows the truth and will one day bring vindication and justice. God bless you!
Katherine Pasour
Excellent message to show us how to live with Jesus as our role model. Each step of the way on that fateful night and throughout His life, Jesus shows us how to respond to the actions of others. Thank you for this inspiring message–so appropriate for this season of Easter. Wishing you blessings.
Annie Yorty
Thank you, Katherine, for visiting and adding to the conversation. Happy Easter to you!
Nancy E. Head
Great wisdom here. We need to find the balance between the pride that pushes us to look good all the time and not defending ourselves at all. The balance is between pride and a doormat mentality in trusting God to show the truth. He always does–not always on our timeline. Great post, Annie! God bless!
Annie Yorty
Thank you, Nancy, for your encouragement and insight. Waiting for God’s timing is never easy, but I’ve found (often the hard way) that He always knows best.
Barbara Latta
Our human nature defaults to self and without Christ dependence we fall into the protective mode. Only through abiding in Him can we be like Him and turn the other cheek when persecution happens. It is not easy but thinking of Christ’s responses can strengthen us to be like Him. Thanks for these great points, Annie!
Annie Yorty
Thank you, Barbara, for visiting and adding to the conversation. You’re comment about our default position is right on target. Thankfully, we have everything we need to respond the way God intends.
Candyce Carden
What great examples for us to follow as we deal with some of life’s injustices I admit I have the biggest problem following number 1.
Annie Yorty
Thanks, Candyce. I think we all struggle with that to one degree or another. But our God so graciously calms our hearts, drawing us under His covering of protection like a hen gathering her chicks.
Evon Ogal Akech
We are heading towards 2023 and finding this article is not a coincidence. My mum has been and is being falsely accused by her own family members, and it is so tempting to take justice and defense into my own hands, the truth has been so distorted, she has/ is being rejected over so many things especially over inheritance ( withholding what belongs to her because of some apparent thing that she did ,which the story has been so distorted), praya fir me not to be bitter or vengeful but to leave everything in God’s hands just as my mother is faithfully doing and has done for a long time.
Thank you for this article, this is truly God sent.
Annie Yorty
I pray the truth comes out in God’s perfect timing. Meanwhile, hope in Him and stand firm in your faith.
Caroline
Annie, the Holy Spirit led me to this post on how to deal with false accusations – 2 years later! Praise God. This post opened my eyes to how handling false accusations the way Jesus did with Pilate is the way of the cross. It puts my personal pride in its rightful place – at the foot of the cross. May God bless you.
Annie Yorty
Thank you, Caroline, for sharing this encouragement with me. God is good!
Jennifer
I have definitely learned (or still in process of) the hard way to keep my mouth shut until God tells me what to say. If anything at all. When I instantly try to defend myself I make the situation worse. Waiting for Gods direction also works out for the better. Thank you for this beautiful post.
Annie Yorty
That’s a tough one for me too, Jennifer. Thank you for adding to our conversation.
Leondra Wiley
Hi Annie. I’m not sure when you wrote this but thank you! Please pray for me & my last few months of nursing. I really need to hear from God right now there’s a lot false characteristics in power.
Annie Yorty
Leondra, thank you for reaching out. I know God wants to speak into your situation through His Word. It is my privilege to pray for you right now. May God bless your studies and help you to finish well.
Debbie Wilson
Annie, I appreciate how you applied Jesus’s last week to helping us when we’re maligned. Have a wonderful Easter!
Annie Yorty
Thank you, Debbie. Jesus’ path is hard to follow, but God equips us for His glory. Happy Easter to you as well!
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Magdalena A Dahlen
Yes I experienced all the same you all talk about, all my life have experienced verbal abuse and often after trying my best to good or help someone. Finally I recognized a pattern. ( Was bitter and angry for long time, even got stomach issues from all the stress) Eventually it occurred to me to ask the Lord: WHY??? I just didn’t understand it. The Lord kindly answered me: Now you know what I went through and you can identify with Me. From that I got much consolation. I had the feeling, these things were for a good reason. Like being able to identify with our wonderful loving Jesus, the God of creation and mercy/ salvation, what a privilege and I can feel closer to Him because I know He understands all that pain. Isaiah 63:9. Then as far as vindication ,, in by Ray C Stedmant book Let God be God, he writes When we give up defending ourselves, Then God will defend us . I found out it’s true. And He is a whole lot better at it than us. Since then I have peace and just tell God You handle it Lord thank you !! 🙂
Annie Yorty
Praise the Lord for the understanding and peace He gave to you! Thank you for visiting and sharing your insights.