Sadly, false accusations are part of mankind’s sin-sickness. But take heart, people also falsely accused our Lord. They said Jesus was demon-possessed. Mark 3:22 (NIV), “And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, ‘He (Jesus) is possessed by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.”
Jesus was healing the sick, casting out demons, and preaching words of life. You would think the people would love Him. But the leaders and others had hard hearts. “Many of them said, ‘He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?’” John 10:20 (NIV). Yet, others with good and honest hearts defended Jesus. John 10:21 (NIV), “But others said, ‘These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?’”
Jesus warned His followers that if the public hated Him (a perfect, holy, righteous, loving man), then the public would also hate Jesus’ followers. Matthew 10:22, 25 (NIV), “You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved…It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!”
How should we respond when falsely accused? “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” Romans 12:19.
Instead, we are instructed to forgive and bless. “On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:20-21 (NIV).
God hates all lies. But He is permitting His children to suffer for righteousness in order to prove their characters. Remember: “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him…” 2 Timothy 2:12. Great will be our reward in heaven!
