th (50)

Jesus speaking to the woman caught in adultery…Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” John 8:10 NLT. 

This is day 2 of a new year and a new decade in which you are hoping will translate into a new and better you. You made your list, your schedules, and a vision of what a better future will look like in your life. It won’t take very long before you slip up. Life will happen and you miss a gym appointment. Interruptions occur and it throws you off track. At that point, the real battle for your changed life begins – the fight to overcome accusations.

After the devil, you are probably your biggest accuser over your life. When an accuser (or an accusatory thought) stands and shouts at you, the natural response is to engage in a conversation. You want to go on a lengthy list of explanations so that the facts are straight and you feel justified. But the accusations continue and so the battlefield in the mind continues.

The lies  bombarding you are bound up in all of your shoulda, coulda, and woulda’s. Your mind carries a list of what a perfect man, woman, husband, wife, father, mother, child, sister, brother, church member, employee, boss or a good Christian really is…and you don’t measure up. This leaves you with feeling less than perfect, or not quite good enough. How can you silence these voices? 

Back to our story of the woman caught in adultery and waiting to be stoned to death. After waiting for the stones to begin hitting her body, the accusers were gone and she was STANDING ALONE with Jesus. He asked her, “where are your accusers?” The principle is simple but profound – Standing next to Jesus – Accusations have to leave. There is no condemnation for those in Christ.

The key to answering the accusation against personal assault is to stay close to Jesus – his voice and presence. Distractions, stress and endless mind games move us away from Jesus. But being close to him brings life, joy, peace, strength to endure and the ability to expose a lying accusation for what it is.

Jesus death on the cross SHOUTS at your accusation of failures – “Be gone! The penalty is paid! Enough blood has been shed! This child is FREE!” If you are having trouble hearing this in your spirit, move a little closer to the cross and ask the Holy Spirit to make it plain.

Don’t get caught up in the analysis paralysis. Receive forgiveness that you can’t earn, but is a true reality. Take the accusations to the cross and let Jesus work out your defense. Then move on into the freedom that is purchased for you. Jesus told the woman, “neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more.”

May you have the light of Christ flowing through your life to expose all of the accusations that keep you bound from flying like an eagle. It is for freedom that Christ has set you free. May this be the year that you overcome the accusations that have caused you to stumble…again and again. Stay near the cross and the empty tomb.

Blessings Love y’all.