Who's Accusing You?

This is a critical culture.  Autocracy citizens are taught to be accepting, not critical.  They aren’t allowed to make changes and often aren’t allowed to voice any criticism.  Democracies, on the other hand, invite criticism by default.  Leaders in democratic societies are always challenging each other for party positions or offices.  As a result, we live in a critical society.  In addition to this, we are a capitalist, consumerist society, so companies criticize other services and products to gain market share.  How does this atmosphere of swirling criticisms affect us?

I think it makes us critical and it makes us feel criticized.  Sociologists and mental health professionals have been lamenting the self-loathing many women have for their bodies and looks, the feeling of inadequacy many Americans struggle with, and the judgment of others that gushes out online.  

We stand accused, all day everyday, by myriad voices or our own voice.  We feel many of the accusations are true, or at least have some truth in them. We recognize our inadequacy and sinfulness.  We know we are not “as good as we could be” or we may be haunted by our failures.

But guess what?  None of this comes from God.  He does not accuse.  “Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect?  God is the One who justifies.  Who is the one who condemns?  Christ Jesus is the One . . . who intercedes for us.”  Romans 8:33-34 

It’s not God, but the Devil who accuses us.  The name “Devil” means “accuser.”  But he can get nowhere with God in accusing us!  God won’t listen and he has already justified us.  So the devil resorts to accusing us to ourselves.  And it’s very effective.  He focuses on accusing us every day.  He whispers it in our ear, drags out the accusations whenever we are struggling.

Remember Jesus is our advocate  He has lived here and had a human body and endured hard things and all the temptations.  

So whenever you hear the accusations and feel the criticism condemning you, remember that it’s just Satan being dragged through the dust behind you, grasping and clawing, desperately trying to hang onto a shred of your clothing as you walk toward eternal life with the One who loves you perfectly.  If you cannot shake him off and close your ears to his accusations, let God squash him for you.  “Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time.”Hebrews 4:16