JOSEPH: When Falsely Accused
Genesis 39:11–20 (ESV) But one day, when he went into the house to do his work and none of the men of the house was there in the house, she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand and fled and got out of the house. And as soon as she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled out of the house, she called to the men of her household and said to them, “See, he has brought among us a Hebrew to laugh at us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice. And as soon as he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried out, he left his garment beside me and fled and got out of the house.” Then she laid up his garment by her until his master came home, and she told him the same story, saying, “The Hebrew servant, whom you have brought among us, came in to me to laugh at me. But as soon as I lifted up my voice and cried, he left his garment beside me and fled out of the house.” As soon as his master heard the words that his wife spoke to him, “This is the way your servant treated me,” his anger was kindled. And Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison.
The Ninth Commandment - Exodus 20:16 (ESV) “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
This Is The Core Of Who The Devil Is - Revelation 12:10 (ESV) …for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.
He Lied About God In The Garden - Genesis 3:4–5 (ESV) But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
He Lied About Jesus Repeatedly
Accused of casting out demons by the power of Satan (Beelzebub/prince of demons): Pharisees and scribes falsely claimed Jesus’ exorcisms were empowered by demonic forces rather than the Holy Spirit (a lie that Jesus called the unforgivable blasphemy against the Holy Spirit). Matthew 9:34; Matthew 12:24; Mark 3:22; Luke 11:15.
Accused of blasphemy for forgiving sins: Scribes and Pharisees charged Jesus with blasphemy when He declared a paralytic’s sins forgiven, saying only God can do that (ignoring His divine authority). Matthew 9:2-3; Mark 2:6-7; Luke 5:20-21.
Accused of being a glutton, drunkard, and friend of sinners: Critics lied that Jesus was indulgent and immoral because He ate and drank with tax collectors and outcasts (contrasting Him with John the Baptist). Matthew 11:19; Luke 7:34.
Accused of having a demon or being insane/mad: Many Jews claimed Jesus was demon-possessed or delusional, dismissing His teachings. John 7:20; John 8:48-52; John 10:20-21.
Accused of deceiving or misleading the people: Some in the crowd falsely labeled Jesus a deceiver who was stirring up trouble or leading people astray. John 7:12; also echoed in broader charges like John 7:47.
Accused of breaking the Sabbath (and related blasphemy): Pharisees repeatedly accused Jesus (and His disciples) of unlawful Sabbath work (e.g., healing or plucking grain), plotting to accuse Him formally; this escalated to claims of making Himself equal with God. Matthew 12:1-14 (disciples’ grain and withered hand healing); John 5:16-18 (healing at Bethesda pool).
False testimony at the Sanhedrin trial about destroying the temple: Multiple false witnesses lied that Jesus claimed He would destroy the temple made with hands and rebuild it in three days (a distortion of John 2:19, where He spoke of His body). Their testimonies didn’t even agree. Matthew 26:59-61; Mark 14:55-59.
Accused of blasphemy for claiming to be the Christ/Son of God: After Jesus affirmed He was the Messiah (and referenced Daniel 7/Psalm 110), the high priest tore his robes and declared it blasphemy, leading the council to condemn Him to death. Matthew 26:63-66; Mark 14:61-64; Luke 22:66-71.
Accused before Pilate and Roman authorities of perverting the nation, opposing taxes to Caesar, and claiming kingship (treason/sedition): Jewish leaders twisted Jesus’ teachings into political crimes (e.g., He actually taught “render to Caesar what is Caesar’s” in Matthew 22:21); they also called Him an evildoer/malefactor and stirred up the people. Pilate found no guilt, but the false charges led to crucifixion (with the inscription “King of the Jews”). Luke 23:1-5 (main charges); John 18:30 (“malefactor”); John 19:12; Mark 15:2-3; Matthew 27:11-14.
He Will Lie About You (Through Others)
WHEN FALSELY ACCUSED…
Give It To God, Let Him Handle It - FOLLOW Jesus!
Proverbs 19:5 (ESV) A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape.
Isaiah 54:17 (ESV) no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and their vindication from me, declares the LORD.”
Release Through Forgiveness… To The Lord’s Justice
Romans 12:19–21 (ESV) Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Your reactions will complicate the picture
Your wrong actions will have their own consequences
Luke 23:34 (ESV) And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.
Suffer Well, _______________________ Is Watching.
The Devil And His Demons
Your Enemy - Proverbs 25:21–22 (ESV) If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
Unbelievers You Are Trying to Win - Matthew 5:16 (ESV) In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Your Friends
Your Family, Your Children
The Host Of Heaven - Hebrews 12:1–5 (ESV) Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.
Closing
Galatians 6:9 (ESV) And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Hebrews 10:36 (ESV) For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.