Introductory Thoughts
Most people naturally want to be understood, loved, and accepted by others. Yet, sometimes no matter how hard one tries, some people will never accept those who replace the worldly pleasures of this life with a sacrificial service for the Saviour. Worldly people hate those who want to do right and live right. This makes the heartache and anguish resulting from the spreading of falsehoods sometimes difficult to bear. Yet, how should a Christian respond when wrongfully attacked for simply trying to do right? According to the Bible, it is admirable to suffer when wrongly accused. Again, the Bible provides Christ as the perfect example of wrongfully suffering. There was no sin in the Saviour, nor was there guile found in His mouth. Yet, He endured more grief than anyone who has ever lived. How did He handle it? When He was reviled, He did not respond accordingly. When He suffered, He did not threaten those who caused His pain. Believers are called to follow the steps of the Saviour. When people falsely accuse believers, they must endure, considering the great miscarriage of justice endured by Christ.
Devotional Thoughts
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(For children): A friend lies to his mother blaming you for breaking his new toy. The mother believes him even though you politely say you did not do it. You feel hurt, but instead of arguing with the boys mother, ask God to help the boy to admit that what he did was not true. Always remember that God knows the truth.
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(For everyone): Have you ever had someone say things about you that are not true? How did it make you feel? Did you want to immediately defend yourself and say some harsh things back? Or have you learned to leave much of your defense in the hands of the Lord?
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Why do you think we feel it is so important to defend ourselves? Is it possible that pride makes us do such things? Was our Saviour wrong in the things in which He was accused? Why didnt He fight to clear His name?
Prayer Thoughts
- Ask God to help you to trust Him in times when people spread false things about you.
- Ask the Lord to keep you humble.
Song
MUST JESUS BEAR THE CROSS ALONE?
