BUMPY ACCUSATION: When your reputation is on the line

I was accosted by a woman who happened to be an usher in the assembly that hosted our last combined service.

 Some things went wrong in the combined service, part of which was the boycott of duty by the district (combined) ushers. It was at the ministers' meeting that followed that many of us got to know the reason for such action. They were protesting the lassitude of the ushers from that assembly towards district functions. I got to know of it, like many other ministers, at that ministers' meeting.

But this is how the woman accused me:

‘I heard you were the one who raised it at the ministers' meeting that the district ushers chose not to support us at the combined service because we don’t participate in activities that combine the ushers in the district.’

You can imagine my anger! I was literally boiling.

 But do I really need it? 

When we are wrongly accused, what should be our reaction and action? Just before that…

GOD'S STAND

God reckons that man possesses essentially four things: his life, his home, his properties (which are basically food, clothing and shelter) and his name. He therefore promulgated laws to protect them in the Ten Commandments,

Commandment 6 – Thou shall not kill – to protect the sanctity of life

Commandment 7 – Thou shall not commit adultery – to protect the sanctity of home

Commandment 8 – Thou shall not steal – to protect the sanctity of property

Commandment 9 – Thou shall not bear false witness – to protect the sanctity of reputation (or name)

And anything that will rob man of any of these, God takes very seriously and will punish – 1 Pet.4:15. 

False accusation damages a person’s name. And God hates it with passion. If man can punish it under laws such as libel and defamation, God will do much more. So, God charges us to always prove all things - 1 Thess. 5:21

NOW TO YOUR ACTION AND REACTION

Your reputation has been having a very smooth ride all around town. So, you feel you are a good driver. 

Suddenly, a bump comes into view. That is when your driving skill is put to the real test. That false accusation is the bump. And here are a few tips on how to go over it:

1. Apply the break – we will always overreact when we act on first impulse. Yoruba have an adage: you don’t row your boat violently because the waves of the sea are breaking violently.

They mounted pressure on Jesus to speak at once but He didn’t allow them to rush Him into it, John 8:3-6. When He eventually spoke, everyone spoiling for a fight instantly ran out of steam, John 8:7-9. 

When we calm it, we are better collected and our words or deeds will be better convincing. Steam burns and hurts but when it is calmed and collected, it becomes the purest form of water for drinking.

2. Match the clutch – it is always necessary to do some soul-searching before firing any salvo. In fact, that is what the foregoing step should prepare you to do. 

There can be no smoke without fire. As much as possible, trace the fire, then you will be able to know whether it is a misrepresentation, misinterpretation or quoting out of context that is responsible for the smoke.

I discovered mine almost a bit too late. It was because I spoke in defence of the ushers at a point in the heat of the minister’s meeting debate.

Such verification of the facts in your heart will help you to decide what to do with the accuser and the accusation.

3. Select the gear – this is the action-end. This should happen when the eventual products of your thoughts have been made to pass through the scrutiny of the Holy Spirit, your greatest counsellor in this matter. 

So, depending on the Holy Spirit, you might just have to educate the accuser or debunk the accusation as a rumour in its entirety. But one thing I’m sure of is He will never send you to fight anyone. 

What of false accusation that has spread like wildfire? Tell everyone who cares to know the truth and leave the rest to God.

The Pharisees paid and supported the soldiers to peddle the rumour that Jesus was stolen from the grave by his disciples (Matt. 28:11-15) but today, millions of people know the truth. 

The God who has always been protecting your life when you cannot is always at work to preserve your name and will handle those trying to drag your name in the mud Himself.