Accusations are damaging things.  For sure there are times that sin must be addressed and sinners confronted.  That is called restoration – at least that is what it should be called.  The ministry of reconciliation always has as its goal the restoration of sinners to fellowship with God.  Accusations are another thing altogether.

Perhaps it would help if we could see that accusations are not simply statements.  They are one of the chief characteristics of a person named Satan.  We often speak of his work in the Garden of Eden as a work of temptation.  In fact, it began as a work of accusation.  He accused God to Eve.  Soon he would accuse Eve to God.  That’s the way accusers work.  They accuse God to man, man to God, and one man to another.  They accuse to excuse themselves.  This is the nature of an accusation.

Satan does his work from Genesis to Revelation.  Ask Job.  In the final Revelation of Jesus Christ the devil is remembered as “the accuser of the brethren” (Revelation 12:10).   He always has been, and he always will be – until God shuts him up!

How do you deal with accusations?

1.  Ask God to give you discernment to know whose voice you are hearing.

The devil speaks through many subtle, beautiful snakes.  It is not “just gossip.”  It is certainly not the Lord.  The Apostle Paul wrote of Satan that “we are not ignorant of his devices” (2 Corinthians 2:11).  Sadly, I think many of God’s people are.  We fail to realize the danger and destruction in a single conversation.

Question: If you were to listen to this accusation where would it lead?  Satan always wants to divide.  Accusations harm families, hurt people, and hinder the work of local churches.  Be careful who you listen to.

2.  Refuse to repeat accusations.

Don’t become an accuser.  When you do, you are simply bearing a resemblance to your first father, the devil.  If an accusation comes to you go straight to the source.  Don’t become a tributary for carrying it further.  Keep the right lines of communication open and accusations will die (1 Timothy 5:19).

The cure for accusation is the fear of God.  When we speak evil of others it is evidence that we do not truly fear the Lord.  Men of faith are willing to let God do the rebuking (Jude 9).  We will treat men differently when we see God clearly.

3.  Deal only with the truth, and only deal with the truth with grace.

The Lord Jesus was “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).  It is helpful to remember that all of Satan’s accusations begin with some element of truth – distorted, incomplete, out-of-order.  God’s people must insist that only truth be spoken and it must only be spoken in a spirit of love (Ephesians 4:15).

4.  Guard your imagination.

The devil loves to work through the unsanctified imagination.  He will suggest thoughts and allow them to fester.  Big disruptions often begin with a little root of bitterness.  Stop having such conversations with yourself and with the enemy!  Give every thought to God and allow His peace to rule in your heart.

5.  Refuse to respond.

My pastor taught me this valuable lesson many years ago when he refused to answer unreasonable critics.  Questions can be answered but criticism cannot.  Hold your peace and the Lord will fight for you.  It was Jesus who when He was accused “answered nothing” (Matthew 27:12).

Remember that you are not dealing with accusations – you are dealing with the accuser.  This is one of Satan’s strategies to disrupt God’s people and God’s work.  He can win a great victory if he can turn members of the Lord’s army against one another!

Accusations will come.  Expect it.  They will come to you and they will come about you.  This is spiritual warfare and the enemy is always launching an assault against God’s soldiers.  Send every accusation Heavenward.  Turn it to prayer and let the Lord sort it out in His time and way.