Handling the Accusers

Psalm 18: 2    “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.  He is my shield and the horns of my salvation, my stronghold.”

We’re all guilty. We have either started gossip or been involved in passing it along to others.    Remember the game that was played where the leader would whisper a statement into a person’s ear and then have them to repeat it to the person seated next to them?  By the time it was passed around the room, the story had completely changed.

This type of game can be fun until it happens to you. For real.

Thirty-five years ago,  a friend at work was getting into a close relationship with a man whom she only known for about six weeks.  Listening to her talk, I knew she was blind to anything about him because she had not taken the time to get to know him.

As a good rescuer, I took it upon myself to find out about this guy.  I only knew his name and where he grew up, so I asked some people in his hometown about him. They told me how he had been arrested for hitting his past girlfriends and was known for his drinking problem.  I relayed this information to her and saw the pain well up in her face.  She immediately took action and called off the relationship.

Two evenings later the man pulled into my driveway.  He was furious because of what I had said, and told me that I had no right going around town telling everyone the story.  I explained that I had only told my friend and from where I got the information. He then explained that it was his uncle by the same name that had the reputation and that he had chosen not to follow in the same footsteps.

After apologizing for several minutes, I followed him to my friend’s house and explained the whole situation.  They got back together, but I lost a friend and destroyed any trust we may have formed. 

You may have found yourself in a similar situation. Churches take on other churches in wrongful accusations. Growing churches and their staff are easy targets for rumors.  Women and men’s circles start talking innocently about others.  I hear words like, “I am concerned about this person’s lifestyle”.  Or they spread stories that are not true through things such as prayer chains or contact groups.

When you feel attacked, go to the Lord first.  Ask Him for the wisdom to handle the situation in an appropriate manner. No matter whether it is at work, home, school, or church, know that the Lord will give you the answers you seek. 

Follow the Scriptures, and take someone with you to discuss and rectify the issue.  If they are a Christian you may want to pray with them, which can help them deal with their own issues rather than pointing fingers at others.

Don't forget to ask forgiveness for your gossiping?