The lies the person said about me made my heart race and kept me up at night. Knowing how to make themselves look like the victim, even act like a Christian, the person slandered me to anyone who would listen. No matter how nice I was to them, what I did, or what I said, nothing changed their vehement attacks.

Perhaps you also have been under attack. We live in difficult times where people are offended about most anything, and we are in a spiritual battle. “For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life…” (2 Corinthians 2:15-16, ESV).

Those who choose darkness are repelled by the light of Christ. “… the Light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For every wrongdoer hates the Light, and does not come to the Light [but shrinks from it] for fear that his [sinful, worthless] activities will be exposed and condemned” (John 3:19-20 AMP).

The devil hates those who are Christians. Lies hate truth. Evil hates good. Unbelief hates belief.

I kept praying about this person’s ongoing attacks, but I continued to struggle and only found temporary relief. I worried about what other people thought about those lies, and I worried how the lies might hinder the ministry the Lord has given me. I worried and then worried about being worried because I know worrying doesn’t please the Lord. Ack!

Jesus said the truth will set us free (John 8:32), and I so needed freedom. Proverbs 29:25 says, “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.” I needed to trust the Lord, really trust Him. God knows what that person said, what they might say in the future, and God knows the truth.

Therefore, will I trust the Lord will help me, fight for me, and expose the lies? Plus, trust also means trusting God even if the lies continue, even if I don’t see God working, and even if nothing seems to change.

Jesus said to those who would follow Him, “let him deny himself [disown himself, forget, lose sight of himself and his own interests, refuse and give up himself] and take up his cross daily and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying also]” (Luke 9:23, AMPC).

Denying ourselves and picking up our cross, means we are dead to ourselves, and dead people don’t worry about what other people say about them.

Our perfect, sinless Savior, Jesus Christ said, “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you” (John 15:18-19, NASB).

Because we aren’t of the world, the world hates us, and therefore “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12, NKJV). Yet Jesus said, “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11-12, NASB).

So, remember “…even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame” ( 1 Peter 3:14-16, ESV).

Heavenly Father, thank You that You are truth and thank You for Your promises. Thank You that You know all things. Help me to take my eyes off of this person and look to You. Please help me to trust You, follow You, lay down my life and live in a way that honors You. May the eternal hope I have in You be evident to all so that You may be glorified and honored. I love You, Father. And, I ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ, who is my Savior. Amen.

“No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; and every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their vindication is from Me,’ declares the Lord” (Isaiah 54:17, NASB)

“For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known” (Luke 12:2, NKJV).

God “…will rescue you from every hidden trap of the enemy, and he will protect you from false accusation and any deadly curse. … For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may take refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and wall. God is our rescue and deliverer” (Psalm 91:3, TPT; Psalm 91:3-4, NASB).

From Heart and Soul Medication by Lisa Buffaloe