There have been times in my life when I felt that I was
suddenly dropped into opposite world. Conversations and events that I was a
part of, along with others, were completely turned around. The actions or words
that were falsely attributed to me were the very actions or words of those who
were repeating the matter in a false way. Some of these situations were harder
to take when other individuals, who had been present in the original situation,
for fear or perhaps lack of character, began agreeing with the liars. Then,
there were those who believed the lie without doing any due diligence by coming
to me to seek out the truth.
We used to live in a society of innocent until proven
guilty. However, that is no longer the case. All it takes is for a few people
to make disparaging remarks or attribute actions that were not committed by the
individual and someone’s reputation, business, ministry, or family is damaged.
We are more willing to believe the bad about people than we are to believe the
good.
In Part 1 of this series, we learned what the Bible says
about liars. We now will examine what the Bible says our response to lies
should be.
First, anyone who hears disparaging remarks about someone
has a biblical responsibility. That responsibility is thoroughly covered in the
blog post, Protecting Yourself from Being an Unknowing Gossip.
Additionally, we must follow biblical principles regarding
lying.
**Hate lies; love truth.
- Psalm 119:104, Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
- Psalm 119:128, Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.
- Philippians 4:8, Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
- Proverbs 4:23, Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
- Psalm 101:7, He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.
- Proverbs 4:24, Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.
- Proverbs 17:4, A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
- Exodus 23:7, Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.
But, what if I am the victim of lies?
We have excellent examples to follow in God’s Word when we
are faced with the trial of lies.
- Matthew 27:12, And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.
- Acts 6:11, 13, Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. 13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:
- Psalm 63:9-11, But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth. 10 They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes.11 But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.
It is difficult when we are being lied about, having errant
rumors spread about us, and having our names and reputations tarnished, at the
very least. However, Jesus tells us how to handle these situations.
Matthew 5:11-12 Blessed are ye,
when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil
against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice,
and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted
they the prophets which were before you.
When we decide to take a stand to do right, to follow the
Lord and His Word, will and way, we will suffer wrongs for His sake. Remember,
God is our defense. He will protect us and judge those who insist on remaining
in wickedness, often catching them in their own web of lies.
Psalm 5:9-12 For there is no
faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat
is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue. 10 Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by
their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for
they have rebelled against thee. 11 But
let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for
joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in
thee. 12 For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him
as with a shield.
For the rest of this series, follow the links below:
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