GUILT BY ACCUSATION
History tells us that we live in a world of false accusers and those that slander others for their own gain. We see much of the same being played out today with many accusations toward people that may or may not have validity. Certainly there are accusations that are well-founded and are trustworthy. We live in a world of sin with many wicked people doing terrible and malicious acts toward others including the helpless and our ears are open to their cries of help and need. But, there is also a word of caution when there is no evidence and people slander others and are pronounced guilty by public opinion and accusation.
Jesus was constantly and wickedly accused of blasphemy by unrighteous people that refused to believe that He is the Son of God. They were witnesses of His power and His might by His words, life and miracles. When Jesus went to the cross it was for the very same reason, He was falsely accused and pronounced guilty by Jewish leaders, a hostile crowd and a Roman governor.
There is of course reason to remember the well-known passage of Joseph and Potiphar’s wife. In Genesis 39:7-ff, the woman was a scoundrel that tried to seduce Joseph into immorality with her. He wisely ran from her with his clothes in her hand and the result was she unjustly accused and slandered him though he was innocent.
Slander according to definition is “a false, malicious statement (spoken or published) especially one which is damaging to a person’s reputation.” According to 2 Timothy 3:1-4 that in the last days people will magnify the sin of slander and despisers of good.
The Bible being true speaks of the great value in having witnesses when making accusations. In Deuteronomy 17:6 we’re told “Whoever is deserving of death shall be put to death on the testimony of two or three witnesses; he shall not be put to death on the testimony of one witness.” Matthew 18 also reminds us that “by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.”
We trust that the Lord will grant much wisdom and discernment as we make our way as Pilgrims in a very uncertain day.