Beloved brethren and friends.
I have woken up with this message for every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.
I’m a firm believer in the need for all believers to live righteously before God and one another ( 2 Corinthians 7:1 & Ephesians 4:24 ).
We must encourage one another to glorify God through our lives and conduct. The sad truth, however, is that along the way some in the family of God will experience failure and sin. What should be our response when this happens?
I request that you take the time and read what I’m about to say and reflect deeply about it.
It’s disheartening to see those of the household of faith – believers who understand the scriptures – leading the line in hurling accusations and condemnation while at the same time character assassinating a brother, sister, or servant of God who has been caught in a fault or is accused in a matter.
I repeat again. I strongly believe in and advocate righteousness. The word of God is clear about the life we ought to live as believers. We have been called to walk in righteousness and holiness. However, the word of God admonishes us to be our brother’s keepers and endeavor to restore those who fall or are caught in a fault with meekness (Galatians 6:1).
We must never lose sight of the fact that we have an enemy. The Bible refers to him as “the accuser of the brethren” (Revelation 12:10). He is constantly seeking someone to bring an accusation against. If we make ourselves available, he will gladly use us to do his dirty work while blinding us to our own shortcomings.
This is exactly what happened when the Scribes and Pharisees brought the woman caught in adultery to Jesus for a verdict (John 8:1-11). Theirs was a “holier than thou attitude” and they thought Jesus Christ would side with their condemning mindset. Instead, they were confronted with their own hypocrisy and sinful state when Jesus challenged anyone without sin to throw the first stone. They did not qualify; they took off one by one. Jesus Christ did not condemn the woman. He instead set her free while commanding her not to sin again.
The word of God declares that we have been given the ministry of reconciliation through Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:18).
We need to be very careful how we respond to – or handle – a believer or Servant of God facing accusation. Our choices are only two. We can play the restorer or the accuser.
As restorers, we must be motivated by love and begin at the place of prayer for our brother or sister. We must resist the spirit of the accuser of the brethren who desire to see us condemn and tear down those facing accusation or scandal.
Whenever you hear of a scandal or accusation involving a brother, sister, or servant of God, I strongly recommend that you respond in the following manner:
- Genuinely pray for the accused, their family and their fellowship. Choose the position of an Intercessor for the person rather than aligning yourself with the spirit of the accuser of the brethren
- If you have access to them, reach out to them and offer fellowship.
- Avoid the temptation to engage in negative scandalous talk about the person. In this way you avoid participating in the work of “the accuser of the brethren”. .
- Trust God to send elders of reputation to walk with him or her and offer Godly counsel (Proverbs 11:14 ).
- Always be alert and sensitive. Don’t entertain gossip and slander. It is the channel the spirit of the accuser of the brethren uses to destroy a person, relationships and ministries. Do not sit on the judgement seat that you have not assigned- the seat of the accuser of the brethren . Be an Intercessor and restorer .
Be warned. Those who have received grace for the forgiveness of their own sins know how to extend the same grace to others. An inability or unwillingness to allow God’s grace on the lives of others is often an indicator that our own sin remains undealt with and is alive within us as was the case with the scribes and Pharisees.
Friends, let us consider and meditate on the words of Apostle Paul as recorded in Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things.
Until next time, keep the faith and refuse to align yourself with the spirit of the accuser of the brethren. Instead, let us be our brother’s keepers and side with Jesus Christ the Intercessor who forever lives and makes intercession for us ( Hebrews 7:25).
Bishop Kepha Omae
Senior Pastor Liberty Christian Centre
Presiding Bishop Redeemed Gospel Church