Zechariah 3:1-4 (LBT)
[1]Then the Angel showed me (in my vision) Joshua the High Priest standing before the Angel of the Lord; and Satan was there too, at the Angel’s right hand, accusing Joshua of many things.
[2]And the Lord said to Satan, “I reject your accusations, Satan; yes, I, the Lord, for I have decided to be merciful to Jerusalem—I rebuke you. I have decreed mercy to Joshua and his nation; they are like a burning stick pulled out of the fire.”
[3]Joshua’s clothing was filthy as he stood before the Angel of the Lord.
[4]Then the Angel said to the others standing there, “Remove his filthy clothing.” And turning to Joshua he said, “See, I have taken away your sins, and now I am giving you these fine new clothes.”
ACCUSATION is a description of the motives and result of falsehood against another person. People often lie against another person in other to stir up trouble or to instigate bad feeling against the innocent person. This form of ill intention happens everywhere in the society even within your very family circle.
Accusation is a charge or a claim that some one has done wrong. The WIKIPEDIA Put it thus~ An accusation is a statement by one person asserting that another person or entity has done something improper . The person who makes the accusation is an accuser, while the subject against whom it is made is the accused.
\”Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword or shooting them with a sharp arrow\”. (Proverbs 25:18) NLT.
Have you been accused falsely before? And how did you feel about it. I have been falesly accused severally. One of these accusations made me cry for days and in that my mourning mood I cried out to God and prayed that God should consider the motives behind the false accusations and render my political enemies to be irrelevant since he wants to remain relevant by gossiping against me even after he had had his way by pushing me out of my race for state house of assembly unopposed to represent my good people of Ikeduru in Imo state when I was in APGA PARTY one of the political parties that contested in 2011. As God may have it his choiced person failed woefully. And as I\’m writing this that person has been politically irrelevant; infact he has been pushed out to his private practice to mind his personal business in his private office.
We have an advocate who always defends us when ever we fall into the traps of haters. Do you know that must times people who accused or criticize you unjustly did that not because you have done anything worthy of condemnation rather because you are not favourable disposed to them. And unfortunately your being around they perceive as a threat to their personality as such you must be dealt with, thinking your exit may have them be in better position.
\”Do what is right; then if men speak against you, calling you evil names, they will become ashamed of themselves for falsely accusing you when you have only done what is good.
Remember, if God wants you to suffer, it is better to suffer for doing good than for doing wrong!\”. (1peter 3:16-17).
\”Who will bring a charge against God\’s elect? God is one who justifies\”. (Romans 8:33).
Do you think because you weren\’t good enough for God that He can\’t save you or do something great for you because someone has allegedly accused you falsely for what you did not do? Was Jesus Christ not accused during His time?. Infact during His trial the Jewish leaders had fabricated new accusations knowing too well mere alleging blasphemy against Him may not attract heavy punishent that may put him out of their way. They therefore concotted other lies when they brought Jesus before Pilate. They charged Him of other crimes claiming He encouraged the people not to pay their taxes. Secondly, They also claimed that Jesus claimed that He was the king of the Jews, And thirdly they accused Him of causing riot and treason all over the countryside. (Mark 15:3-4).
The bible is warning us about the implications of lying against the innocent and urged us not to indulge in such practices in Exodus 23: 1-7.
\”YOU SHALL not repeat or raise a false report; you shall not join with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.
You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you bear witness at a trial so as to side with a multitude to pervert justice.
Keep far from a false matter and [be very careful] not to condemn to death the innocent and the righteous, for I will not justify and acquit the wicked\”. (Exodus 23:1-2&7).
Zechariah was a prophet of God whom the Angle revealed and showed him how the high Priest Joshua who was representing the people of Israel was standing before God wearing a filthy garment and Satan was around to accuse Joshua but mercy from God prevailed. Joshua was pardoned and his filthy robe was removed and changed to a clean robe.
Zechariah\’s vision in a sense portrays how we receives mercies from God despite our not meriting it. And how God changes our status irrespective of what your accusers may say or think about you all the same all we need do is to repent whenever you think you have given the enemy the foothold to drag you to be shamed.
There are people who have been insulted and have been accused for Christ\’s sake they are being assured for a reward in Matthew 5:11-12
“When you are reviled and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers—wonderful!
Be happy about it! Be very glad! for a tremendous reward awaits you up in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted too\”.
However there is sure punishment for those who maliciously gossip against the innocent or accuse them falsely the word of God warned that we should \”Keep far from a false matter and [be very careful] not to condemn to death the innocent and the righteous, for I will not justify and acquit the wicked\”.
\”And the king commanded, and those men who had accused Daniel were brought and cast into the den of lions, they, their children, and their wives; and before they ever reached the bottom of the den, the lions had overpowered them and had broken their bones in pieces\”. (Daniel 6:24).
Malicious falsehood is very bad, is caused by envy and jealousy, should not be practice at all because it can expose the accuser to redicle or bring shame when ever the truth is revealed and it can brew hatred and bitterness in the minds of the wronged.
A song writer wrote
Temptations, hidden snares often take us unawares , And our hearts are made to bleed for some tho\’tless word or deed And we wonder why the test when we try to do our best But we\’ll understand it better by and by.
May God help us to stand strong and confidently TELL THE STORY HOW WE\’VE OVERCOME THEN WE WILL UNDERSTAND IT BETTER BY AND BY why the enemy chooses to blackmail us without a just cause.
Remain Blessed as you read 🙏 Cheers!! ✍️ BlessingOnugha ❤️