A spirit of accusation

There is a coin that is called “accusation.”  One side is fact, the other fiction.  One side leads to repentance, the other to revenge.  One saves, the other slanders.

To understand how an “accusation” can be neutral and to see the difference between both sides of the coin we need only look to its use in scripture.

“Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation (krisis), but said, The Lord rebuke thee.” Jude1:9

Michael had the facts.  But he knew who he was dealing with.  He knew that the facts would not lead the devil to repentance… indeed it couldn’t, for he could not be saved.  So Michael simply said, “The Lord rebuke thee.”

There are times when we know the facts, and we pray that if they are shared that they will lead to repentance.  But we must know the ones we bring these too.  Often we know that they will not lead to repentance.  So it is best we leave it to the Lord to rebuke.

 “And the superscription of his accusation (aitia) was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” Mark 15:26

Jesus IS the King of the Jews.  While this was given as the reason or charge brought against Jesus, it was true.  And it did save… all those who believe.  And accusation like this might be called a “title” or an “office” or a “position.”  Like the sign above the door to the pastor’s office… it lets us know who it there.

It is the next form of accusation that I want to take more time on because the scripture reveals from where this comes, and it is broader than we think.

“Against an elder receive not an accusation (katēgoria), but before two or three witnesses.” 1 Timothy 5:19

 “And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser (katēgoreō) of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.” Revelation 12:10

Interesting.  The Greek katēgoria, from which we get “categorize”, is the same type of accusation associated with the accuser of the brethren.   Both of these words imply a negative tone, something that sets to position as wrong.  This type of accusation is a form of condemnation (katakrima).

Who knew that when we “categorize” people that God sees it as a form of accusation, a form of condemnation. 

“Joe is a bit slow.” “Tom isn’t much of a hard worker.” “He’s all about money.” “That one is power hungry.”

These are all categorizations.  While we might not see them as accusations, especially when they are spoken in casual conversation, we have to realize that when we receive these, particularly against leaders in the church, we are giving place to the accuser of the brethren. 

Bring things into the light.  The devil lurks in the shadows, in the high grass, seeking the week… those whom he can influence to be his mouthpiece.  He and they are always more brave in private.  Get them into the spotlight and they lose their cool.

If someone says to you, “Our Pastor is such and such…” or  “That new elder is…”

Try saying, “Well come on then… let’s go talk to him about it… right now.  I am sure he wants to know.” 

Chances are, they’ll have an excuse.  Usually, it is because they are missing the leg they think they have to stand on.

But it goes further.  We shouldn’t categorize anyone.  Stereotypes turn into surround-sound and we lose the ability to hearing anything but false accusations.  And they we start singing along.

We might know some facts about people… but we should do like Michael did… and simply leave it to the Lord to do the rebuking.

SDG