In the 12th chapter of the book of Revelation, Satan is described in very striking terms, called “the great dragon…”. . . that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. . . . the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night” (Revelation 12:9-10). That’s who he is and that’s what he does.
But too often, we do his work for him to the point where he can take an extended vacation and his work continues uninterrupted – all because of us. Too often we become accusers of brothers and sisters.
Not only does this divide the Body – the very family of God – but it wounds the heart of our Father. How he hates seeing his children at war.
Blaming our brothers and sisters
To be clear, we are called to make righteous judgments (see John 7:24), to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), to rebuke our neighbors when they sin, especially when that sin is against us personally (Leviticus 19:17; Luke 17:3; also note the principle of Proverbs 28:23).
There are even explicit instructions for handling accusations against Church leaders: “Do not receive an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. But those elders who sin against you, you will rebuke before all, that others may be warned. I command you, before God, Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, to observe these instructions without partiality and to do nothing through favoritism” (1 Timothy 5:19-21).
This is all very different from being a sibling accuser.
Satan brings up our past – things that have been forgiven by God, things that have been dealt with rightly, things that we have abandoned and renounced, things that are “under the blood” (i.e. say washed by the blood of Jesus). Satan throws them in our faces again or accuses us of guilt towards God or others.
Satan sows discord and suspicion, spreading lies, false judgments and disinformation. He points out the worst in others, gives the worst interpretation to what they say or do, and then spreads these bad conjectures widely. It’s truly evil.
Satan accuses and attacks, belittles and degrades, speaking of them in the ugliest ways. Yet too often we follow in his footsteps, doing just these things to ourselves.
This is why, according to Paul, things like strife, gossip, slander, hatred, discord, jealousy, selfish ambition, dissensions, and factions fall into the same category as thoughts like hatred of God, idolatry, witchcraft, murder, sexual immorality, and orgies (see Romans 1:28-31; Galatians 5:19-21). These are all, according to Paul, works of the flesh and symptoms of a depraved mind.
How then can we, God’s people, the redeemed of the Lord, those who have been set apart to be holy, participate in such things? How can we, who sit in heavenly places with our Savior, fall so low into the gutter?
We use Satan’s tools
Think back to the 2020 election, regardless of your own voting choices.
Our social media pages were filled with vicious attacks on each other. Some of us have even condemned ourselves to hell based on our voting choices. This pleases the devil.
And among the many qualities that we highlighted in 2020, one was sorely missing: love! Yet it is precisely by this quality that Jesus said the world would know we were his disciples – by our love for one another (John 13:34-35).
Even the devil understands the principle that a house divided against itself cannot stand (see Matthew 12:25-28). So how can we hope to defeat the enemy of our soul when we are at war with one another?
These days, barely a controversy arises in the Body, whether it surrounds a doctrine or a person or a movement or a group, and within seconds there is a flood of gossip, of suspicion, of discord, of discourse malicious, judgmental and much more. broadcast publicly for the whole world to see. Yet Paul discouraged believers from suing one another to settle their differences, lest we bring shame to the name of the Lord. He exclaimed: “One brother sues another – and this before unbelievers!” » (1 Corinthians 6:6). For him, it was absolutely shameful.
Yet for much less than a legal dispute, we drag ourselves into the court of public opinion. This too is shameful.
Pray for others as if they were in the room with you
Many years ago I read a story from the life of John “Praying” Hyde (1865-1912), one of the greatest men of prayer in Church history. He prayed for a Christian leader who had become spiritually cold, telling the Lord, “You know how much he doesn’t love you like he used to. »
Immediately he felt the rebuke of the Lord, realizing that he had just become an accuser of the brothers. So he began to thank God for all the good qualities in this man’s life, and soon after, this man repented and renewed his devotion to Jesus.
Since then, I have gotten into the habit of praying for others as if they were in the room with me. In other words, rather than saying, “Father, you know how petty so-and-so is,” I pray, “Father, give him a new spirit of love for you and love for others, and help him. be kind and compassionate. Then, to cover the bases, I pray the same way for myself.
In no case do I want to become an accuser of the brothers myself.
Even here in this article, my intention is not to embarrass any individuals or shame anyone by name. My intention is to say: “My brothers and sisters, let us go higher. Let us honor the Lord. Let’s show the world the beauty of our faith and the depth of our love for others. And above all, let’s not do the devil’s work.
Instead, let us be united against our mortal enemy rather than opening the door and inviting him in. Its a question of life or death.
Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated show line of fire radio program. His latest book is Why so many Christians have abandoned the faith. Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter Or Youtube.
