Slander

Don't delve into the mudslinging or a back and forth...just a simple statement of the truth.

• Take it to God

v. 9 God, be my defender, keep me strong and focused on what I'm supposed to be doing. All that matters is what God knows. It is becoming increasingly risky to preach the plain truth, because as our message becomes less and less politically correct, the chances go up that we'll be big news someday for our 'off the wall' stands we take. When and if that day comes, may be ready to bear that shame as a badge of honor for the Lord, and just leave it all with Him and stay focused, realizing we are trying to please Him, not them.

• Just keep on working.

v. 15

Henry Ward Beecher, "Life would be a perpetual flea-hunt if a man were obliged to run down all the innuendoes, inveracities, insinuations and suspicions which are uttered against him."

James 4:11

11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

Lincoln, "If I were to try to read, much less answer, all the attacks made on me, this shop might as well be closed for any other business. I do the very best I know how - the very best I can; and I mean to keep doing so until the end. If the end brings me out all right, what's said against me won't amount to anything. If the end brings me out wrong, ten angels swearing I was right would make no difference."

Don't be surprised when slandered. The servant is no greater than his master, and think about what they said about Jesus: that He was illegitimate, a glutton, a drunk, who operated in the power of the devil.

We are told not to be ignorant of the devil's devices.

http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Slander.html