When the Accuser Starts Yappin’

Well now, scoot on up to this ol’ front porch, friend, and set a spell before that bossy blue jay starts fussin’ like it’s chairman of the neighborhood complaint committee. Some days the devil chatters at a soul worse than a squirrel that found its tail in a screen door. He loves to stir up temptation, then turn right around and act like a prosecutin’ rooster crowin’ your failures to the whole barnyard.

Revelation 12:10 calls him “the accuser of our brothers and sisters” and says he accuses them day and night. That old rascal is persistent. First he plants a rotten thought or a foolish temptation. Then he comes back waggin’ his bony finger and says, “Look at you. Some Christian you are.”

But 2 Corinthians 2:11 says we are not ignorant of Satan’s schemes. Praise God, we know his trick bag.

Better still, we know our Defender. Luke 22:31-32 tells us that Satan wanted to sift Peter like wheat, but Jesus said, “I have pleaded in prayer for you.” Mercy. That’ll make a worn out heart sit up real straight.

And here are two more precious promises: 1 John 2:1 says, “If anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” When the accuser starts hollerin’, Jesus starts intercedin’. And Romans 8:42 says, “Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died, more than that, who was raised to life, is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.”

So, don’t you be mistakin’ accusation for conviction. The Holy Spirit draws us back to God with truth and grace. The devil shoves us toward despair with lies and shame. One leads to repentance. The other just makes noise like a possum knockin’ pans off the porch.

Father, when the enemy accuses me, help me remember that Jesus is praying for me. Guard my mind from lies and shame. Teach me to listen to Your truth, walk in repentance, and rest in the righteousness of Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Now, pass me another one of them hot, buttered biscuits before you start headin’ right on out and back into your day, friend, and don’t you be carryin’ the ol’ devil’s chatterin’ around like a heavy sack of wet feed. If accusation comes peckin’ at your peace, send it on its way with the Word of God. Lift your chin because your Savior is not wringin’ His hands over you. He’s standin’ for you, prayin’ for you, and keepin’ you steadier than a fence post sunk deep in red clay.

With joy,

Gwen