In the midst of accusations

If you are a leader, you will undoubtedly face accusations of some sort. Usually they are wrong, that's why they are called accusations.  If you have been in leadership for quite a while, you would have known that accusations that come from the emery's camp, don't pose that much of threat or pain. What is excruciating, is when the complaints arise from within, especially from those whom you call friends. That is killing, because accusations eventually becomes betrayal . 

Even Jesus was betrayed by one of his inner circle disciples, Judas Iscariot. If the master went through that path, is it any exception that we his servants would be exempted of such?

Joseph was a good example of a man who was faced with unfounded accusations. But it was not the accusations that made him stand out, but the way he responded to them than shone through.

Of course the man in the will will resort to civil suits, arguments and retaliations of different sorts But how should a Christian  respond?I think we can learn a few principles from Joseph's response to accusations. 

Recognise that God is sovereign and ultimately His ways will prevail, no matter what.

Eventually when Joseph became the No 2 man in Egypt and after he was reconciled with his brothers, the brothers were afraid that Joseph might take revenge for what they did do him in the past.  This is how Joseph responded: Gen 50:20 -  As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. Joseph recognised that even in the evil, there is an ultimate purpose of God and that is supreme and will prevail. Jesus submitted himself to false accusation, knowing well the full purposes of God and his ultimate reason for coming to the world.

Recognise that these accusations could also part of the devil's schemes to hinder progress.

I am of the opinion that the devil tried to cause Joseph to sin by having an affair with Potiphar's wife. That would have resulted in his death. When that failed he tied again by using Potiphar's wife to accuse Joseph of misconduct. The devil thought that that would be the end of Joseph, serving a life sentence. But the Bible says, God was with Joseph. He was with him in the pit, in the prison and even when he went to the palace. When we realise the schemes and the devices of the evil one, Paul tells us in Ephesians 6, For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore we are urged to put on the armour of God and to pray against the works of the enemy. And let God do the rest. In this way, our hands will be clean because God has fought the battle.

Realise that God is our  defence counsel.

This is the most difficult thing to do. How can we keep quiet when face with so many accusations. We must defend ourselves. You see the natural tendency is to defend one's position and we can certainly do that in many ways. Assert our position of authority, use the scriptures, get a defence council or even resort to threats. We do not see Joseph vociferously defending his case in any forum. The only time he mentioned about his case was to the condemned  cup bearer in the prison. Even that too was forgotten. Moses when he was accused by his own brother and sister,  the Bible records that Moses was the meekest man on the earth. What a testimony. And you know what, God came to his rescue. The Truth will defends itself. The classic example is that of our Lord.  Isaiah 53:7 - He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth. Let God defend us. The best response should be: 2 Chro 20:17 - But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the LORD's victory. 

Realise we have been asked to pray for the accusers.

One of the amazing things the Lord taught us was to pray for our accusers. Mat 5:43-45 -  “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  that you may be children of your Father in heaven. This is one of the most difficult thing for us to do. One of the criterion that distinguishes a child of God from the rest is that he has the audacity to pray for he enemies. That's what Jesus did when He was on the cross and that is what He expects us to do. Instead of gossiping, counter-accusing and threatening, the best and the only reaction from a God's child is a prayer for the accusers. When such a prayer is uttered in all sincerity and truthfulness, God has no choice but to defend the accused.