False Testimony

Question: what is your response when someone falsely testifies against you, taking your words out of context and spreading what they think they heard?  How do you respond?  By lashing out in anger, using curse words or do you bless and not curse?  My response is usually, to my shame, not a good one, but in time I ask the Lord to forgive the person and to bless them and to forgive me for my bad attitude.  Many people respond in anger, sometimes disbelieve or even shock.  Many believers don’t handle this very well, allowing their flesh to take over in the situation.  

If we could just remember the words that Jesus spoke in Matthew 5:11-12 and react the way Jesus wants us to, our response would be so much different, and instead of using our mouths to curse we would only bring forth blessings.  Read what Jesus said, “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

If we would all respond the way Jesus tells us to respond, we would save ourselves unnecessary stress, anguish, uncontrolled anger and even retaliation.  What do you think would happen if your immediate response was to rejoice and be exceedingly glad when you heard these kinds of things against you falsely?  Your whole attitude would be different, it would be hard to curse when you are rejoicing with gladness in your heart; the natural response in that situation would be to bless.  

Try to think of it this way, when these things happen and it is not your fault and you are a born-again believer, God has counted you worthy to suffer for Him and you are blessed.  Remember God’s greatest prophets suffered in this way also and so did Jesus, so be encouraged, you are in good company.  We should expect these things to happen, but instead we act like we are taken by surprise; when in reality we should be ready and waiting for them.  Paul said this in 2 Timothy 3:12, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”  If you never experience persecution in some form, then you are not doing much to change the world.  

Jesus also said this in Matthew 5:13-16, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.  You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Salt was used for seasoning to help food taste better; it influenced the taste so to speak.  If we are the salt of the world, we need to be doing things that will influence people’s way of thinking.  We are also called the light of the world and we need to be letting our light shine in this dark, lost and dying world.  

If we aren’t doing anything to change the world for the better then what good are we to the Lord?  We are just taking up space and are unprofitable servants.  This is what can happen if we don’t handle persecution in the right way.  It is far better to start rejoicing and be glad when people falsely accuse you because that is the best response.  Something to think about; have a super day and may the Lord bless you and yours!!