Responding to False Accusations
Have you ever been accused incorrectly? Of course, you have. It started early on in life when your parents accused you of making a mess. In reality, it was your sibling, a neighborhood friend, or the family pet. But you were accused, and you had to clean it up. Do you remember how you responded?
Getting accused falsely happens throughout life. It is doubtful anyone is immune to false accusations. From the beginning of time, people have been pointing fingers at each other.
How should we respond?
How should we respond when we get wrongfully accused?
Let’s consider Hannah as an example. Eli was the High Priest in Israel. He was the General Superintendent of the day. Hannah was the wife of a ‘certain man’ whose name was Elkanah. They were average, faithful churchgoers, it seems.
Hannah, for years, was distressed about being barren. She did not know the Lord had caused her barrenness. We know that, but she didn’t. Year after year, Hannah wept before God in the house of the Lord.
One time, the preacher was watching her pray in great agony. Then, Eli accused her of being drunk and told her to stop drinking. You can read her complete response in 1 Samuel 1:15-16.
Hannah was respectful. She explained what the actual situation was. Hannah did not get up and stomp out of the church house. She did not get her husband to defend her honor. Hannah did not get defensive. Hannah humbled herself before God and man.
The result of a good response
The result was Samuel. I believe Hannah would never have had Samuel if she had responded to the false accusation any other way. She would not have received her miracle if she had replied with anger or in kind.
How many times do we miss our blessing by responding to incorrect allegations incorrectly?
Whether it’s the preacher, a spouse, a family member, a friend, or someone you admire. Next time you get wrongfully accused of something, remember Hannah.
Eli never did apologize, either. And, years later, Hannah blessed Eli with her blessing. Amazing!
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