How Do You Handle Accusations and Lies?

As a Christian leader, how do you handle accusations and lies being spread about you?

That’s the question a reader asked: “Do you know how to handle this problem in a biblical way? I want to give it to the Lord and let him deal with it, but it hurts too much. Do you know how leaders deal with this situation?”

I invited your responses, and many wonderful ones arrived. Together, they form an excellent Bible study for whenever you are being slandered. Check them out.

In closing, I give you this article, passed on from a reader, titled “Brokenness.” Its author is unknown.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise (Psalm 51:17 NASB).

When to do the will of God means that even my Christian brethren will not understand and I remember that “neither did His brethren believe in Him” (John 7:5) and I bow my head to obey and accept the misunderstanding — this is brokenness.

When I am misrepresented or deliberately misinterpreted, and I remember that Jesus was falsely accused, but He “held His peace” (Matthew 26:63); and I bow my head to accept the accusation without trying to justify myself — this is brokenness.

When another is preferred before me and I am deliberately passed over, and I remember that those around Jesus cried, “Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas” (Luke 23:18) and I bow my head to accept the rejection — this is brokenness.

When my plans are brushed aside and I see the work of years brought to ruins by the ambitions of others, and I remember that Jesus allowed others to lead “Him away to crucify Him” (Matthew 27:31) and He accepted that place of failure, and I bow my head and accept the injustice without bitterness — this is brokenness.

When in order to be right with my God it is necessary to take the humbling path of confession and restitution, and I remember that Jesus “made Himself of no reputation” and “he humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross” (Philippians 2:7, 8) and I bow my head and am ready to accept the shame of exposure — this is brokenness.

… When one acts towards me in an unforgivable way, and I remember that when He was crucified, Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34) and I bow my head and accept any behavior toward me as permitted by my loving Father — this is brokenness.

When people expect the impossible of me and more than time or human strength can give, and I remember that Jesus said, “This is My body which is given for you” (Luke 22:19) and I bow my head and repent of my self-indulgence and lack of self-giving for others — this is brokenness.

—Kevin A. Miller is editor of the Church Leaders newsletter. You can contact him at Newsletter@LeadershipJournal.net.