{"id":20987,"date":"2000-05-17T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2000-05-17T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.christianitytoday.com\/pastors\/2000\/05\/17\/how-do-you-handle-accusations-and-lies\/"},"modified":"2000-05-17T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2000-05-17T00:00:00","slug":"how-do-you-handle-accusations-and-lies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.christianitytoday.com\/pastors\/content\/how-do-you-handle-accusations-and-lies\/","title":{"rendered":"How Do You Handle Accusations and Lies?"},"content":{"rendered":"

A<\/strong>s a Christian leader, how do you handle accusations and lies being spread about you?<\/p>

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?”<\/p>

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<\/a>.<\/p>

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

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

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)<\/span> and I bow my head to obey and accept the misunderstanding — this is brokenness.<\/p>

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

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)<\/span> and I bow my head to accept the rejection — this is brokenness.<\/p>

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)<\/span> and He accepted that place of failure, and I bow my head and accept the injustice without bitterness — this is brokenness.<\/p>

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”<\/span> and “he humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross” (Philippians 2:7, 8)<\/span> and I bow my head and am ready to accept the shame of exposure — this is brokenness.<\/p>

… 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)<\/span> and I bow my head and accept any behavior toward me as permitted by my loving Father — this is brokenness.<\/p>

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)<\/span> and I bow my head and repent of my self-indulgence and lack of self-giving for others — this is brokenness.<\/p>

—Kevin A. Miller is editor of the Church Leaders newsletter. You can contact him at Newsletter@LeadershipJournal.net<\/a>.<\/p>

Sign up for the Church Leader’s Newsletter<\/a> and receive a new article plus useful information in your inbox every week!<\/p>

Copyright © 2000 by the author or Christianity Today\/Leadership<\/em> Journal.Click here<\/a> for reprint information on Leadership<\/em> Journal.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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 Read more…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"tax_ctp_authors":[2212],"tax_ctp_books":[],"tax_ctp_categories":[142],"tax_ctp_field_guide_subcategory":[],"tax_ctp_field_guides":[],"tax_ctp_format":[131],"tax_ctp_multimedia":[],"tax_ctp_point_editor":[],"tax_publications":[156],"tax_ctp_tags":[3524,3663,3761,4192,4805],"tax_ctp_topics":[],"class_list":["post-20987","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","tax_ctp_authors-kevin-miller","tax_publications-leadership-journal","tax_ctp_tags-brokenness","tax_ctp_tags-confession","tax_ctp_tags-dependence-on-god","tax_ctp_tags-humility","tax_ctp_tags-repentance"],"acf":{"scripture_references":null},"yoast_head":"\nHow Do You Handle Accusations and Lies? - CT Pastors<\/title>\n<meta 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