Have you ever been falsely accused? How did you respond? The more we live for man's approval rather than God's approval, the more false accusations will enrage us. Our rage exposes that we have made the approval of man an idol. When falsely accused, we face a fork in the road: either we will experience inner turmoil as we struggle to preserve our reputation, or we will be comforted by the knowledge that God is not deceived by man's lies.

Whereas the disclosure awaiting us at the Judgment Seat of Christ is bad news for the hypocrite, it is good news for the falsely accused. The falsely accused welcome the disclosure of the truth.
 

The Proper Response to False Accusation

Jesus was not exempt from false accusation. He was accused of being a drunkard, a glutton, a bastard son, and a demoniac. On one occasion the Jews asked Jesus, "Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?" (John 8:48).

Jesus answered, "I have not a demon; but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and He will be the judge." (John 8:49-50)

When falsely accused by man, Jesus took comfort by focusing on the fact that the ultimate Judge will judge justly because, unlike Jesus' deceived accusers, God can see the truth clearly.

When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he trusted to him who judges justly. (1 Peter 2:23)

Jesus reveals that we can respond properly to false accusations if we understand the Judgment Seat:

If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household. So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. (Matt. 1O:25-26)

The one who understands the Judgment Seat is not emotionally devastated by false accusation because he knows that "nothing is covered up that will not be revealed." Man's judgments endure for only a short time; God's judgments will endure for eternity. At the Judgment Seat, false worldly opinions will be abandoned. Everyone far and near will adopt God's opinion of you because they will see the truth about you as God reveals it at the Judgment Seat.

Jesus said there is a special reward in heaven for those who are willing to live to please God even if it leads to being rejected by man. The understanding of the Judgment Seat enables those falsely accused for His sake to respond with joy rather than grief. The promise of great reward produces great joy.