I saw the devil's digital dossier with my name and mug shot splashed across the screen. It was a highly organized computer file that ticked down a list of accusations with bullet points.
The first points were milder words I recognized. Silly accusations about drinking coffee or mannerisms or the use of words. I've seen these types of accusations come from people who launched via social media and email.
Another classification of accusations came from people close to me. These allegations were of a more serious nature but they were not public, not entirely. These false jabs were not released directly at me. They were whispered behind in closed doors and then spread from one person to another until a false perception of who I am was forged in the minds of compromised, jealous preachers who thrive in atmospheres of gossip.
Moving further down the bullet-pointed list were more serious false accusations. I did not see them, but I knew they were there. I don't know what they were. I know the enemy has vain imaginations and comes to kill, steal and destroy (see John 10:10).
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Seeing the Enemy's Strategy
The Holy Spirit shows us things to come (see John 16:13). In this encounter, I saw the enemy's strategy, in part. Now I know in part and I see in part (see 1 Cor. 13:9) and can respond accordingly. Accusations against me are nothing new, and false accusations are almost as old as the world itself. I am sure you can relate.
Paul told Timothy: "Indeed, all who delight in pursuing righteousness and are determined to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be hunted and persecuted [because of their faith]" (1 Tim. 3:12, AMP). And Christ said in Matthew 5:11-12 (AMPC):
"Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous—with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of your outward conditions) are you when people revile you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things against you falsely on My account. Be glad and supremely joyful, for your reward in heaven is great (strong and intense), for in this same way people persecuted the prophets who were before you."
Responding to Enemy Slander
Slander is not pretty. It means "to defame someone; to harm their reputation; to disgrace; or to accuse." Slander is a tool of the accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10). Consider this: the word "slanderer" in 1 Timothy 3:11 is the same word used for "devil." When we slander someone, we are acting like devils. We are mirroring the character of Satan. We can't walk in the anointing God has for us and mirror the character of Satan at the same time. We just can't.
No one likes to be slandered. I don't enjoy it. It makes me sorrow for the one who's committing the sin. The Bible says, "Whoever privately slanders his neighbor, Him I will destroy" (Ps. 101:5, MEV). And Romans 1:30-32 suggests backbiters are worthy of death. Paul told us not to keep company with a believer who has "a foul tongue [railing, abusing, reviling, slandering]" (1 Cor. 5:11, AMP)—Scripture actually lists the slanderer among the sexually immoral, the covetous, idolaters, drunkards and extortioners. The point is, God hates slander.
With regard to my encounter, my first response is to pray against the slander manifesting. These bullet-pointed accusations were like bullets in the enemy's gun, some of which he fired. I feel confident the accusations I did not see were bullets the enemy has not yet released. So I bind the accusations, and I examine my heart to make sure I am walking circumspectly and worth of my calling so I can claim 1 Peter 3:17, " For [it is] better to suffer [unjustly] for doing right, if that should be God's will, than to suffer [justly] for doing wrong."
Next, I determine in my heart that if and when slander manifests, I won't be overcome with evil, but I will overcome evil with good (v. 21). I will rejoice when I am persecuted because I know that when I respond the right way, I am blessed. My first response is to pray for those who persecute me. And pray. And pray. And pray some more. It keeps my heart clean. And the God who gave me a heads-up in this encounter is the God of my vindication.
Jennifer LeClaire is senior leader of Awakening House of Prayer in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, founder of the Ignite Network and founder of the Awakening Blaze prayer movement. She is author of over 25 books. Find her online at jenniferleclaire.org or email her at [email protected].
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