What about slandering Satan?

Though many would agree gossip is wrong, they allow for slanderous accusations to go unchecked as long as the person is "really guilty". How interesting that the Bible addresses this using the most extreme example, Satan, to demonstrate that this is unacceptable.

Reference: Jude 1: 8-9

Biblical Summary: The archangel Michael and Satan were disputing yet Michael "did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him."

Reflection:
I like this passage because it demonstrates a few things about disagreements...

Certain things are allowed:

1. Michael engaged in a dispute. He was allowed to disagree and do so verbally. v9
   
2. Michael was allowed to say, "The Lord rebuke you." v9
   

Certain things are not allowed:

1. Michael did not bring a "slanderous accusation against him [Satan]." v9

Let's look at some of these definitions.

• Dispute: to engage in argument (Merriam Webster)

• Slander: an abusive attack on a person's character (www.english-test.net)

• Accusation: a formal criminal charge against a person alleged to have committed an offense punishable by law (legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com)

• Rebuke: to criticize or reprove sharply, to reprimand (thefreedictionary.com) (Reprove: to voice or convey disapproval of)
  

So... We ARE allowed to engage in debate of actions and ideas but need to leave disapproval for their person to the Lord. Even with Satan, we ought not abusively attack his character in response to his atrocious crimes. Instead, we attend to the matters we can and let the Lord deal with the heart and character. He alone is able to judge with full knowledge of their hearts, minds and motives.

Prayer
Lord, You alone know each and every situation as well as each and every heart. You know which circumstances have wounded us due to another's sinful heart and which have wounded us due to a sinful action from a repentant soul. Of course, illuminate us to ways we have been hurt due to mere differences... not sins on either part.

Help us to focus on actions and verbalized thoughts instead of character and intent. Keep us in our frustration from attacking the soul of another. Forgive us for the arrogance of wanting to do this, at times. Forgive us for having done this, at times.

Lord, as we so badly want to be understood. Give us the same desire to understand others... treating others how we want to be treated. When we disagree, aid us in examining ourselves in humility. Give us the words and grace to confront ideas that are wrong. When these false ideas and/ or cruelty remain unchanged, allow us to trust you that you will rebuke. You delay is planned. Your delay is purposeful. And, your promise of a future and a hope (Jer 29) remains true!

Two Final Verses:
Psalm 7:9 "O Righteous God, who searches minds and hearts, bring an end to the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure."

1 Chronicles 28:9 "For the Lord searches every heart, and understands every motive behind the thoughts."

Shamed by your idols

Relational rifts causes shame. Having an unattainable idol also causes shame. If we are experiencing shame, we need to ask ourselves, "Is this shame sorrow over a lost relationship OR disappointment for an unmet idolized goal?

Bible Reference - Jeremiah 10:14 “Every goldsmith is shamed by his idols. His images are a fraud.”

Reflection -
Sometimes people shame us. Other times, we are shamed due to righteous conviction.

I think there are two important questions we need to ask ourselves before the Lord to be sure people’s accusations are not righteous conviction...

1. Is my behavior shameful?
2. Am I shamed because I idolize something that is a fraud? What do I idolize? glory? admiration? others?

Prayer -
Lord, point out areas we feel shame frustration because we are pursuing things we ought not. Help us to seek YOU because that is a goal we can achieve. You promise that when we seek you, we will find you. You also promise that those who know you will not be put to shame. Grow our relationship so who you are is such a close reality with us that any other pursuit is contextualized and prioritized correctly.

Nebuchadnezzar's Pride

Just because it is thought differently does not mean victims are never proud. Let’s consider Nebuchadnezzar’s desires.

Bible Reference - Daniel 4:30 “[Nebuchadnezzar] said, ‘Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my might power and for the glory of my majesty?’”

Story Recap - Nebuchadnezzar is a king who finishes a beautiful palace. As he struts about the roof over looking his kingdom, he boasts. Immediately he goes mad for a time but eventually turns to God and has his kingdom restored.

Reflection -
Nebuchadnezzar desired affirmation of his achievements (“I built”), acknowledgement of his power (“my power”), and adoration (“glory of my majesty”). Basically, he was self-centered, proud and greedy.

I think many times, we have this same attitude but in another extreme. Instead of claiming complete control for the good we have. We claim zero control for the bad we have. Both extremes still show our desire for validation of our power for good alone (that is why any bad we could have is not our fault), adoration and vindication.

Therefore, I have re-written this verse for those who are in negative circumstances...
“Is this not a pathetically broken situation!?! I had no part in creating because I’v been only victimized. I have used all my control for good. I should therefore be viewed as wonderful yet victimized. Others should be seen as mean and/ or wrong. Please feel sorry for me, validate me, affirm all my actions and shun all others. Don’t critique me or disagree.”

Sound familiar? Sound convicting? It is this kind of pride and 100% validation that is sinful and will eventually drive us to insanity. The truth is “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God”. We ought not live our lives justifying our perfection or defending our faults. Rather, in humility before the Lord, we press on.

Prayer-
Lord, convict us of our failures. Where we have been wronged, heal us. But also, allow us to not be so defensive that we cannot see areas, even in these situations, were we have acted wrongly. Thank you that you can use fallen vessels to achieve your good purposes. Help us to glory in YOUR glory instead of living lives trying to validate our own.