WHEN A FALSE RUMOUR IS SPREAD ABOUT YOU!

Exodus 23:1 ESV

“You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness.

In this world, social media communication has come on a centre  stage. Information is moving and spreading very fast. Now, when something false is spread about you, it is very hard to correct it. It is moves so fast like bush fire that by the time truth comes up, your reputation is already tempered with to great extent. 

I have seen innocent people killed by the mob because someone spread malicious information about them. I have seen marriage or relationships breaking up because  someone reported false information  which made the two develop conflict. I have seen accidents on the road because someone has said something fake about a situation which causes panic and fear in people. I have seen some people die in a stadium out stampede because someone recklessly spread a false rumour about a bomb. I have seen innocent people chased out of their jobs because a false rumour was spread about them.

What do you do as a child of God when a false rumour is a spread about you?

First of all, you need to realise  that you are living in a fallen world. In this fallen world, there are some sinful people who are bent to do evil all the time. Their attitudes are always wicked. You will not reason sense with them because their conscience are seared and destroyed.

1. Put your trust in God.

Trying to stop a big fire may not be wise. There is a way God protects his children from shame. He fights their battles and prove them right and innocent before the public. He did it to Job when his best friends misunderstood him. He did it to David when Soul sought his life. He did to  Daniel, bringing him out of the Lion's den when his fellow officials were jealousy of him. He did to Shadrick Misheck and Abednego when they were thrown in the furnace of fire. He did to Paul when he turned from Saul a murderer to Paul a Christian. He is doing it for you today. 

Do not try to defend yourself. The flame of fire soon dies and the truth emerges to be clearer after the smoke of fire. Yes, you  can speak, but speak less.

People who have seen greatness, are those who know and put there trust in God. They are patient when something false is spoken about them, they even relax.They compose themselves.

Isaiah 49:26 ESV

I will make your oppressors eat their own flesh, and they shall be drunk with their own blood as with wine. Then all flesh shall know that I am the Lord your Savior, and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.”

2. Know who you are

When you  are misunderstood,  deep inside, you know that what is being said is not right, just keep your focus perspective.  When you are on the road driving, you will not mind even if someone insulted you on the side of the road. If all soccer players were responding to insults, they would not go anywhere. Keep going. Be focused. 

If someone accused you to be a monkey,  you  would even laugh because you know who you are.

It is a waste to respond to things that do not speak the truth about you.

3. Decide to humble yourself 

When you choose to be humble, God has promised to lift you up

James 4:10. If you believe God is in control of your life, you will not be troubled when something evil is spoken about you.  You know God is in control,  He is the Pilot. You trust Him to land you safely despite the turbulances you would experience along the way.

Avoid the " do you know who I am utterances,  they are a sign of pride".  Be like Job who said that 

Job 19:25

“For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:”

Job believed God above his feelings and emotions. His best friends misunderstood him to have done something terribly wrong, yet even this did not move him. His wife also incited him to curse God and die, his response is your example to day. 

Job 2:10 You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.

When you reach a point where you respond like Job despite the pain around you, then you know your faith is in God your God.

You can imagine the rumours about Job that went around about him being a rich man who was once famous but suddenly all things just went crushing down one by one. Even then he still recognized God, 

Job 1:21

I was born naked. And I'll leave here naked. You have given, and you have taken away. May your name be praised.

Your attitude in a moment when you are falsely accused is key to your character and growth. Immature people are easily noticed how they react during this time. They show where they really stand.

My advise to all

Do not believe everything you see on social media. Do not even be agent of satan to post or send to another to see. When a bad video is sent to you, delete it. When you keep it, you will be tempted to share.

When you hear something bad about your friend, do not be quick to judge. Wait. If the accusation are true. Still more stand with your friend even if what he or she has done might be embarrassing. Defend your friend. 

"Peter tells us that "Love covers a multitude of sins" (1Peter 4:8). He echoes the proverb, "Hatred stirs up strife but love covers all sins" (Proverbs 10:12). Some think that one person's love can blot out another person's sin. The only love that can cover sin in that sense, is the love of Jesus Christ."