Falsely Accused: Finding Strength and Vindication in Faith

 When False Accusations Sting: My Journey Through Spiritual Warfare

Let me tell you, the spiritual warfare has been real this week. Just getting this video message out felt like a fight. It shouldn't be this difficult, right? But as I prayed about it, a sense washed over me: some of you are facing accusations, even from within the church family.

It's a confusing situation. These attacks can come in various forms, from online slander to accusations based on twisted interpretations of scripture. It's easy to feel hurt, isolated, and desperate to defend ourselves.

But here's what I'm learning: this isn't a random struggle. The Bible tells us in Isaiah 54:17 that "no weapon formed against thee shall prosper..." We might face trials, but God's ultimate vindication is promised.

Here are a few key takeaways that have helped me navigate this season:

* Discerning Truth Through the Holy Spirit: When someone throws accusations your way, especially ones that misuse scripture, lean on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Spirit will guide you and expose any falsehood, just like it did for Jesus when tempted by Satan. 

* Finding Strength in Silence: Remember how Jesus stood silent before his accusers? Sometimes, the best response is no response. Often, those spreading negativity will expose their own wrongdoings through their actions. 

* Maintaining Your Integrity in Christ: Above all, our actions and hearts must be grounded in Christ's teachings. When we stand firm in our righteousness, God sees and will vindicate us in due time.

This might feel like a fiery trial, but it's also an opportunity to strengthen your faith. As you stand firm, rooted in prayer and God's promises, remember: He will bring forth your vindication. 

And if you're feeling the sting of false accusations, seek God. He is our refuge and our strength. The people accusing you might dig their own holes, or the forces of darkness will reveal themselves. But in the end, your true vindication lies in Him.

How is your communication with God?

Relationship with Christ has a lot to do with communication.

Sheep hearing His voice can mean  simply knowing who the Shepard is and following the sound of His voice.  Much like the children of Israel following the glory cloud.  They saw the cloud, and even followed it,  but lacked clarity in vision -  therefore lacking clarity in purpose.  They dared not draw near because they were afraid.

This poorly developed relationship caused many trips around the mountain.

Intimacy with Christ brings us to a more defined level of communication.

As a dumb sheep we may simply see an inkblot on the page not discerning the minutia of God's plan  But the more intimate we become with God the more profound our communication. Our discernment has more sparkling clarity.

Intimacy moves us from the shaky faith of Gideon needing many confirmations to the unwavering faith of Paul who offers himself up freely to be beaten for a man he never physically met. .

How is your communication with God?  Is it a five minute prayer on the way to work? Or is it a 21 day fast like Daniel that changes the course of history?

From Hearer to Doer: Igniting a Passionate Faith

Are You Just Saying "Yes Lord" or Are You Truly Living for Him?

I wanna light a fire in your spirit and challenge you to examine your walk with the Lord. We all know the frustration of those "hearers only" churches, filled with empty rituals and hollow promises. But have you ever stopped to ask yourself:  Is my faith more than just words?

Romans 6:16 lays it bare: "We are slaves to the one we obey."  We serve one master – sin or righteousness. There's no middle ground.  Jesus Himself said, "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" (Luke 6:46) 

Imagine an angel following you today, seeing only your actions, not hearing your words. Would their report say your true Lord is Jesus?  

The Missing Ingredient: Relationship

The secret weapon for obedience isn't willpower, it's relationship.  Think about a tree. We're the branches, Jesus is the mighty trunk.  The xylem and phloem, the tree's circulatory system, carry life-giving sap.  What's the root of the fruit we bear? 

It's our connection to the vine, Jesus! Abiding in Him, we don't struggle to obey – the fruit of that connection flows naturally. 

Can you truly love someone you've never met?  Reading about Jesus isn't enough. We need an intimate relationship with Him, deeper than knowledge. 

Let's ditch the "Yes Lord, but..." excuses.  Are our actions reflecting The Sermon on the Mount?  Are we actively loving our neighbor, caring for the hurting, and seeking God first? 

Don't be a lukewarm "goat" Christian! We crave a fiery passion, a love for Christ that compels us to action, a love that surpasses even our closest earthly bonds. 

Let's cultivate a vibrant spiritual connection!  Seek Him in prayer, in worship, in everything you do. Let the Holy Spirit guide your steps. Make Jesus your Lord, not just in words, but in every fiber of your being.

This is the call to a deeper walk!  Are you ready to truly live for Christ?  Let's go higher, dig deeper, and be the few who truly follow Him.