Another difficult area that some deal with is that of receiving false accusations. This is especially true for those who have recently experienced some sort of moral failure which they have repented of, or perhaps had lived a lifestyle of which they are no longer living. They question whether they truly are clean, and are no longer what they once were. One illusion that some struggle with is the belief they are still failing, that they are still that guy or that gal. As we know, we are not alone in our struggles. God is with us; however, the enemy is still at the sidelines throwing darts of accusations at us. He is trying to get us to believe a lie because he knows that people often act upon what they believe to be true. So the accusations come, though they seem to be internal in their origins. For example, the dart would not be thrown in an obvious assault: “You haven’t changed a bit, you’re still the same before you came to Christ. You still do the same things and think the same old way.” Instead it is more subtle: “Have I really changed? I’m not so sure I’m not the same person I once was. I’m probably still acting and thinking the same old way I used to. Sigh, I haven’t really changed.” These are actually the words of the enemy, or the old man who works in cahoots with the enemy; not their own. It still goes back to the oldest trick in the book,”Yea, hath God said (Genesis 3:1)?” It causes one to question the validity of God’s Word in one’s life.
This type of questioning can allure the Un-expecting to look back, and consider where they came from. It may cause them to “test the waters,” in order to see if they really have changed. They will attempt to think on those things they once did, or think the same way they once did in order to see if it really is true. Part of repentance is changing the way we think and fleeing from whence we came. The Word of God is very clear: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2, KJV). We have to allow our minds to be renovated, which is done by spending time with the Father, reading His Word, and meditating on the things of God (see Philippians 4:6-9). When we spend time with the Father, He is able to show us who we really are in Christ Jesus. We can make a new confession about ourselves: “I’m no longer that person, I’m the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus-I really am different!” (2Corinthians 5:21). “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22, KJV). Instead of even considering where one once came; run and don’t look back! Remember Lot’s wife who turned into a pillar of salt because she looked back (see Genesis 19:12-26). If a person is busy following righteousness, faith, charity, and peace, he will not be considering the things of the past (see Romans 6:1-23).
One of the best things a believer can do is listen to the right Voice. In John 10, Jesus said that His sheep “hear His voice . . . and they follow Him for they know His voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers” (John 10:1-5, KJV). The word, “know,” means to be intimate with; therefore, His sheep are familiar with His voice, and unfamiliar with the strangers voice. Guilt is a counterfeit to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. The former leaves one condemned while the latter leads one to repentance and life. If there’s guilt attached to voice, versus conviction, it is the wrong voice. Unless our hearts are hardened, the Holy Spirit will make it very clear when we are unrepentant, and when we repent we will have peace. Accusations never lead to peace! What is the Lord telling you?
One final thought: if you are having a difficult time with accusations, have you forgiven yourself? In order for the enemy to penetrate our hearts, there has to be a target which he can hit. If you have not forgiven yourself, even though the Father has, you can count on the accusations along with guilt associated with them to continue. You have to let it go! If are not forgiving yourself, you are placing yourself in God’s stead. Not a good place to be. If God has forgiven you, who are you not to? As stated in part one: “If we blow it, we turn away from our sin and run into the Father’s arms. We learn from it, and move on. If we want to make up for it, we have to do it on the Father’s terms: repent, receive His forgiveness, give it no more consideration, and be made whole. We need to deny ourselves, pick up our cross, and follow Jesus. We deny the self the right to have a ‘pity-party.’ Remember this simple principle found in Galatians 5:16, ‘This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh’ (KJV).”
