I read again today about another case of unsubstantiated accusations being made in order to turn public opinion against the accused, causing me to think about what I would do if it happened to me. Legitimate accusations are one thing, but slander is another. As Christians, we will be slandered. Jesus has been slandered, and so have those who belong to Him. what makes the prospect of being the target of slander so troubling is that the lies often stick. So, what can we do? How do we protect and even vindicate ourselves?

In 1 Peter 3:14-16, we are taught how to follow Jesus’ example. “But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.” He begins by letting us know that we are blessed if we suffer, as He did, because we are doing what’s right. He goes on to teach us not to fear their attempts to intimidate us. As is the case with all of our enemy’s attacks, deception is at the root. They are attempts to silence us or to render us ineffective. We have to see the attacks for what they are. Keeping our eyes on Him, we don’t have to be troubled by the storm around us. Instead of worrying, we must make up our minds that He alone is God and that His Word is all that matters. As we continue to make Him known to the world around us, we have to remain gentle and reverent so that we don’t actually play into the hands of those who slander us. They would love nothing more than for us to answer their provocations with anger. He ends by reminding us to live in such a way that any slander brought against us would look ridiculous, and would be obviously false.

When the world slanders us, we do well to remember that they treated Jesus the same way. Keep doing what you know to do. Jesus endured for the joy set before Him, and so will we.