Hal Garms eWord Messages

“Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts” (Psalms 51:6a NKJ).
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16 NASB).

God has made clear His stand regarding anyone making a false accusation against someone. This is something from which everyone should flee. Injustice abounds when an accuser makes false accusations even when mistakenly or seeminly sincerely made. However, God does not silently sit by. But what of the person who is the victim of a false accusation? How can they find peace in it? God is also not silent about these.

A Just Balance

God is a God of just balances (see Proverbs 16:11). His judgments are righteous and good. He is fair and deals only with the reality of a situation or sin when executing His judgments. He despises a false balance. He stands mightily against deception. He is a destroyer of falsehoods. False accusations are indicators that falsehoods are present in our hearts. False accusations are an abomination to God: “There are six things that the LORD hates, Seven that are an abomination to Him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to evil, A false witness who declares lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers” (Proverbs 6:6-19 NASB).

A false witness or false accusation is an accusation or testimony not established completely in truth or based on complete deception altogether. In Hebrew, it also means a false record. A false witness or a false accusation is based on a position established in deception and lies. Jesus declared that Satan is the father of all lies. Consider this: the words Satan and devil mean accuser and false accuser. Therefore, the righteous are determined to stand in the truth walking in the light and not in darkness (see John 8:44; 1 John 1:6,7).

In Proverbs 6, we find that a false accusation is directly associated with the things God hates most which are also an abomination to Him. Remember this! Whether a false accusation is established in total deception or is not completely based on reality (truth), the false accuser is committing an abomination before the LORD and is playing into the hands of the Evil One. The Lord desires truth in the inward parts. We must not give place to deception, for to do so is to walk in darkness and deception giving a false balance power to bring hurt and ruin to others.

Strategy of Destruction

As a child of God, we must never allow ourselves to be found in the devil’s strategy of destruction against another person. We must recognize that we cannot even conclude something about someone that is based on a perception established in error or lacking credibility. False conclusions presume guilt; we cannot presume guilt. Only God is omnipresent, omniscient, and all-seeing! Let us remember that God finds a false balance an abomination (see Proverbs 11:1). We must present any conclusions to God in prayer where we can destroy any  “speculations and every lofty thing raised up against God, …taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5 NASB). Herein we defeat exempt ourselves from being a part of the enemy’s strategy of destruction and ruin in someone’s life.

The standard of our witness must be true according to God’s weight of truth! Even when we do legitimately discover offense or sin, or if we think we have discovered offense or sin, God’s Word instructs us how to handle it righteously. We will cover this shortly. However, realize this: Satan accuses, the Holy Spirit convicts of sin. If our discovery of sin is from God, then with that discovery comes sufficient love to cover the multitude of sins (see 1 Peter 4:8). When we respond from the nature of God, the law of life in Christ is fulfilled in that “love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law” (Romans 13:10 KJV).

Finding Healing and Wholeness From Accusation

First of all, we must recognize that the spirit behind accusation is the devil. In Revelation, he is called “the accuser of the brethren” (see Revelation 12:10). Let us realize that when an accusation comes it may be completely false or riddled with seeds of truth, or maybe true altogether. Our initial reaction must include going to God in prayer. He sees all things, knows the intents of our hearts (even when we do not), and is a God of justice and righteousness.

Have I done this to others? This is the question we must ask ourselves and one of the things about which we must first pray. We must ask God to forgive us of any incidences where we may have made false accusations or come to false conclusions concerning others. Not only should we seek forgiveness from God,  but we should renounce this tendency! Afterward, we obtain the condition of the heart where we can make a stand for our petition that God silence the accuser, and invite His justice to our situation. Prayer and seeking God must come sooner than later, here.

The second issue for prayer is regarding the substance of the accusation. Is there any truth to it? As David did, let us implore God, “search me, O  God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Are there any seeds of truth in the accusation? The Holy Spirit lovingly convicts us, reproving us of any sin. Embrace His conviction should God expose any seeds of truth to the accusation in our hearts. Mercy and truth are found coupled together sixteen times in the Old Testament, and John 1:17 declares “grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” Where the truth of our condition is realized and confessed by us, God’s mercy and grace come with the conviction of the Holy Spirit! Instead of condemnation, we find a greater realization of the depth of the love of God for us and encounter the richness of His grace to both forgive us and change us! Let us not gloss over this occasion for change. Do not give occasion to pride and self-righteousness in our reaction. Let us go to God and find our “Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1b NASB).

A Victim in Good Company

I know it hurts to be falsely accused. I would rather be accused of what I have done wrong, rather than be hurtfully and sometimes devastatingly wrongly or falsely accused! In addition to praying and seeking God in such times, there is also a balm of healing that we can apply in recognizing that we are in good company. There was Naboth during Ahab’s and Jezebel’s reigns. Digging further, there was Joseph who was falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife. Then how about Ahimelech by Saul and David by the princes of Ammon? Jesus, Stephen, and Paul were falsely accused. Yes, it hurts to be falsely accused, and we truly feel a sense of injustice. But if we allow it, the fiery dart of false accusation will complete its demonic purposes intimidate us from continuing in our destiny with God, and bring emotional and physical harm and damage to us. But we have a sure and true witness from the Word of God that He will not allow a false witness to go unjudged. We also have this testimony that God is at work and is near to us to establish us in His ordained plans for us!

Consider Joseph, who was betrayed by his brothers over envy and jealousy. After being treated violently by his brothers, he ends up in prison over the false accusation of another man’s wife. Joseph who remained pure in temptation as he was exploited, threatened, and extorted by Potiphar’s wife, was seemingly rewarded with a prison sentence. He was falsely accused and set up for rape after rejecting the lustful advances of Potiphar’s wife! Where is God’s justice in this? But wait! In prison, God made the way for Joseph’s appointment with His ordained destiny for him. Interpreting dreams, he was brought before Pharaoh. There Joseph was able to minister God’s wisdom and provide divine direction for years of plenty and years of drought and famine. God exalted Him, and the dream he had concerning his brothers and father came to pass as He lovingly and graciously welcomed and forgave them then.

Hold fast to the working of God. Satan would like to destroy you, ruin you, and rob you of what God has determined for your life, but God’s plans for you will not be thwarted. God has appointed a time of rejoicing shortly when the enemy makes his assault through people – even people you love, and people who claim to love you! Forgive them, and let righteousness and justice have their due course. In these is the working of God. For He will exalt you and exonerate you in due time – to the glory of Jesus Christ!

Forgive them we must. This time of suffering will bear in us a greater weight of glory. Jesus was crucified because of false witnesses and false accusations. It was through those injustices that the Father brought forth justification. He was wounded for our transgressions, for Jesus was without sin – a spotless lamb. And it was through the cross Jesus was glorified. Though He was reviled, He reviled not again and prayed God’s mercy praying, “Father, forgive.” He was not offended, though he was hurt and wounded. Their sins he did not take into account. Therefore, “as He is, so are we.” The suffering of this present time is an appointment with Divine opportunity to obtain and reveal the heart of Christ. Therefore, pray for your accusers. Forgive them and pray the mercy prayer. Herein is your healing. And herein is Christ revealed in you on behalf of their forgiveness and salvation as you ask God to forgive those who have wounded you.

“You Who Are Spiritual, Restore” (Gal 6:1a NASB)

First of all, deception never restores, and a false witness is never involved with restoration, but operates in destruction. The heart of Christ is to restore, recover and strengthen those who struggle with their sins. Those who obtain the heart of Christ – those who are Spiritual also restore, recover, and strengthen the struggling.

Spiritual authority and maturity are demonstrated only when we approach someone overcome with a fault “in a spirit of gentleness” (Gal 6:1b NASB). Restoration is a gentle process. It is done meekly and in gentleness as we remember to consider ourselves so that we too will not be tempted. We must recognize that we are not invincible in falling or sinning in the same way as those with whom we are restoring. Take heed, for we are vulnerable to falling in the areas that we are convinced we will never fall. In this, pride masquerades itself in self-confidence. But our confidence must be in Jesus who can keep us from temptation and keep us from falling!

This is when we know with certainty that a brother or sister, someone we love, needs help – not condemnation and judgment. This is prayerfully done, considering the condition of our hearts first. Just as the garments of Christ cover us so that the shame of our nakedness does not appear, we too should minister and serve this need in the same nature and virtue of Christ. Those who are Spiritual will restore!

“A Woe to The Accuser”

Accusation does NOT come from God! It is not a gift of discernment, and it is not Providence that allows you to discover someone’s “nakedness.” Nakedness is emblematic of the shame of sin (see Genesis 3:9-11; Revelation 3:18). The conviction of the Holy Spirit is done to save and redeem people from their sins. Accusation is a demonic device used to condemn and take the life of the accused. That is what assassination of character truly seeks to do. God will judge one who judges – and even more so the one who accuses falsely! This should invoke the fear of the Lord in all of us.

Listen! Beware! Even if we mistakenly make false accusations or bear false witness against someone. We have played into the hands of the Evil One. We have also transgressed into a realm of darkness that God deplores. Justice will come to bear against the one who commits false accusations by the hand of God unless that person repents. Let us not ever cross this line. Mistakenly jumping to an erroneous conclusion does not excuse us. Let us heed the warning in Romans 2:1 NKJ “Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge…”

Let us consider Naboth. He was falsely accused of blasphemy against God and the king, Ahab. Now, this was done so that Ahab could take Naboth’s vineyard which he refused to sell to the king even for a very generous offer. Jezebel was a wicked queen and the wife of the king, Ahab. When Ahab complained to her about Naboth, she devised a plan to set Naboth up to be falsely accused by two men she acquired. This plan was executed, and so was Naboth! He was stoned to death after the two men made their false accusations.

Where was God in this? Why did He let this happen to Naboth? He was not guilty. And now, he is dead. God was not finished. Because after Jezebel informed Ahab he could go take possession of the vineyard, God sent Elijah the prophet to declare the justice that was forth-coming! Listen carefully to the Word of the Lord here. We must not allow ourselves to be taken in and become involved in false accusations whether intentionally or by mistake. Ahab did not devise the plan, he accepted as fact the false witness that the enemy had set up against God’s righteous one, Naboth. For that reason, here is what God said, and herein is a sobering warning: “Because you have sold yourself to do evil in the sight of the LORD: ‘Behold, I will bring calamity on you. I will take away your posterity…” (1 Kings 21:20,21 NASB). Through the injustices Naboth suffered, God brought forth His justice to the unrepented wickedness of Jezebel and Ahab. Naboth’s vindication revealed God’s righteousness in judgment.

Suspicion proceeding from a jaundiced eye and a proud heart leads us to false conclusions. Let us be careful to not allow the enemy to shape our perceptions of wrong or sin. Let us not “sell” ourselves to do evil because it seems like it is the right thing to do at the time – whatever our motivation! For God will have justice. He will cast down the Accuser of the Brethren, and He will bring justice to those who falsely accuse others – even when they mistakenly get carried away in the false perceptions woven by the wiles of Satan. “A false witness will not go unpunished” (Proverbs 19:9a NASB). Therefore let us repent and turn to God seeking His forgiveness and transforming grace. Renounce yourself from the company of they who would lay charge to God’s elect and the blood of Jesus God’s Son shall cleanse you of your injustices and unrighteousness.

Father, I come before you on behalf of those who have been wounded and deeply hurt by wrongful accusations. Father, as they forgive those who hurt them, I declare that they are released from the prison of injury and suffering brought on them. I thank you that you are establishing us in Your righteousness and have ordained that such occasions where we have been falsely accused make a way for us to realize the fulfillment of Your plans for our lives in becoming un-offendable and merciful like Jesus. Father, forgive us when we have come to false conclusions. And forgive us for any incidents of false witness or acting out the voice of the Accuser instead of being an instrument of restoration on behalf of others. We renounce any association we’ve had with the Accuser of the Brethren, and we humble ourselves to You who is the Righteous Judge. We thank you for the cross of Jesus Christ, where the wrongs we have done, and the wrongs done to us are washed in the blood of the Lamb.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.