Being falsely accused can be a very serious matter or just an everyday interpersonal communication and relationship issue. If a person is being falsely accused of something considered criminal, the impact on their life could affect their reputation, freedom, family, and career. On the other hand, there may be less serious accusations made in the course of everyday life in relationships in the family, at work, at school, and in the church.
Apparently, criminal-level, false accusations have increased requiring a law enforcement and prosecutorial response. According to a recent survey in 2020 conducted by YouGov[i] reported by Rebecca Stewart of the Center for Prosecutor Integrity, over 20 million adults reported being “falsely accused of serious crimes such as domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, or other forms of abuse.”[ii] If there were actually 20 million cases of false accusations, this represents many lives negatively impacted that would require them to access some legal defense. It may be an interesting study to discern why there are more false accusations. Is there more reporting of cases or is society more prone to have an accusatory attitude toward others whether true or not?
No one would want to be accused of a serious crime of abuse or neglect. However, it can also be damaging or hurtful to be accused of other, so-called “run of the mill” negative character traits or beliefs. How about being falsely accused of lying, misrepresenting, taking advantage, manipulation, neglecting responsibility, adultery, or numerous other behaviors that may not be illegal but would be harmful if true? What about being falsely accused of being hateful because of what you believe as a Christian, for instance in biblical standards of marriage? Some might be falsely accused of being ignorant or narrow-minded because they claim that their political party of choice more closely aligns with their Christian beliefs. This might also be considered a mischaracterization whereby a person is described or labeled due to the accusers set of beliefs. Falsely accusing others can cause irreparable, destructive damage.
How should one respond to false accusations can be found in the Bible. Whether the person doing the accusing is someone in the family, an associate at work, or someone in the church, a non-believer, or a stranger, there is a biblical response. There are several Scriptures addressing our response but our best instruction is what Jesus had to say on the subject. First of all, if a fellow Christian is angry with you, possibly including a false accusation, you are to drop everything and “be reconciled to your brother” (Matthew 5:23-24, ESV). Also, Jesus makes a point of how important it is to settle your legal matters on your own when He says, “Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court…” (Matthew 5:25). He is talking about settling the matter privately before arriving at the judge or magistrate. Jesus believes it is important to settle differences as much as possible, privately. When someone falsely accuses a person, considered a sin, the person accused should go to the accuser first as Jesus explains in Matthew 18:15 in order to hopefully resolve the matter. “But if he does not listen, take one or two others with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses” (Matthew 18:16). Jesus goes on to describe the final two steps if the accuser does not listen which include taking the accuser before the church body and finally, if all fails, excluding them from Christian friendship (Matthew 18:17). Of course, these approaches take into account that the accuser is wrong and is falsely accusing. If the accusations are found to be true, then it would be responsibility of the accused to repent and make peace with the accuser. The first two steps are good advice for non-believers, as well, with possibly a mediator as a third step.
Jesus presented an example of love and peace. “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you” (Luke 6:27-28). It is clear that He expects His followers to work out their disagreements and accusations with each other and whenever possible with all people. However, one might say that He contradicts Himself when He says, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:34). This is not a contradiction because in the context of instructing and preparing His disciples, He is using a metaphor to explain how the Word of God, portrayed as a sword, will divide even family members between those who are willing to listen and those who aren’t. The Pharisees would not listen, also, and the truth He spoke cut them to the core. He spoke the truth to them firmly and correctively because they were harming the family of God with their oppressive ways. When some in the family refuse to accept the truth of the Gospel, it can cause disagreements and a non-peaceful atmosphere which will be so seriously affected it may not be restored to peace.
If you are accused falsely and the accuser will not repent and enter into a peaceful relationship with you, remember that you are not alone. Jesus was falsely accused, afflicted, and even spat on, but much of the time kept silent. Peter said, “If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you” (1 Peter 4:14). Jesus Himself said, “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11-12). Remember that being falsely accused is a type of trial that Christians have been warned about. Trials will test your faith. James reminds Christians to “Count it all joy” because “the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4).
Finally, do not take any revenge or return a false accusation with an insult. Instead, “bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing…turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it” (1 Peter 3:9-11). Peter also instructs that you should defend the gospel “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 3:15-16).
Remember “no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment” (Isaiah 54:17). Those who come against you falsely will be punished. “A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will perish” (Proverbs 19:9). Take comfort in knowing, “The Lord will fight for you, and you
[i] https://www.prosecutorintegrity.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/YouGov-Survey-Results-9.25.2020.xlsx.
[ii] Robecca Stewart, Center for Prosecutor Integrity, 2024, https://www.prosecutorintegrity.org/pr/survey-over-20-million-have-been-falsely-accused-of-abuse/, accessed September 2, 2024.
