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False Accusers
By William C. Sexton
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,..” ( 2 Tim. 3:1-3)
Paul, inspired by God, points to times that would come In the Last days, which would not be pleasing to God nor beneficial to man -- troubling times! Of course, we recognize that the “last day” is all the Christian era, from Pentecost forward. However, character and behavior of people described is so evident in our day! At times any of us may easily become involved in behavior that is not good. Therefore, we need to be careful! Let us consider one of the behaviors Paul mentioned in his list.
Among the characteristics itemized is being “false accusers.” Perhaps we’ve seen cases where people were charged with having done something they were not guilty of. As children, we may have tried to shift blame at times, and that inclination may crop up in our adult years. It’s never easy to admit that we did something we should not have done. However, the best policy is always to acknowledge the wrong, seek forgiveness, reconciliation, and correction. The cost may seem to be more than we want to pay at the moment, but that’s the best time to pay: The cost will increase with interest, as we postpone the correction.
Accusing falsely, however, is something we ALL need to be very careful so as not to be guilty of. I believe brethren, at times, are guilty of this: It can/does arise from a number of factors. Let us look at a few:
1. One can be careless, and charge one with saying, doing something, having a motive, that he/she does not really have. There’s the need to be careful!
2. One can be suspicious, and when something happens, be too quick to say: “Yes, that’s him/her, I have known him/her for a long time, and that’s in line with what I understand about that person.”
3. Misunderstanding can/does lead to false accusation. A failure to put forth the necessary effort to see exactly what one is saying, where he/she is coming from, the basis for the claims. It’s easy to misunderstand a person we don’t like in the first place, perhaps we’re eager to “catch” such a one in a wrong! It’s easy in the heat of controversy, to say things carelessly, and then allow pride to keep us trying to JUSTIFY (Cf. Lk. 10:29) ourselves. If we overstate our case, deviate slightly, fail to express ourselves clearly and are challenged, let us humbly consider the objection, and if we are guilty, admit it seek correction. Let us be sure before we accuse, and eagerly accept apology.
4. Beloved, let us be careful to state our case clearly and be willing to listen to any criticism --so that we understand what the real point of difference is, before we began to accuse one. When we fully understand the critic’s point, and if it is off base, then let us kindly but firmly stand for the truth of God’s word, restating our stance and showing how it is in accordance with God’s word!
Let us never back down on something that God has expressed plainly. Let us never give in to something that is not true. However, let us always be willing to reconsider our way of expressing a matter, with the possibility that it may could and perhaps should have been stated in a better way. If I am rejected and opposed for standing on God’s word, then let me never be unwilling to so stand. If I am caused to defend my manner of stating a matter or doing something, then may I be humble, considerate, and prayerful, before I become too dogmatic.
False accusations are hurtful to every one involved. Most of all, such will keep one from heaven, if not corrected.
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