EVERLASTING LOVE!

HOW DOES A PERSON RESPOND TO FALSE ACCUSATIONS? BIBLE READING: Daniel 6:1-28 KEY BIBLE VERSE: So they concluded, “Our only chance of finding grounds for accusing Daniel will be in connection with the requirements of his religion.” (Daniel 6:5) SILENCE IS OFTEN AN EFFECTIVE RESPONSE TO FALSE ACCUSATIONS. At this time, Daniel was over eighty years old and one of Darius’s top three administrators. He was working with those who did not believe in his God, but he worked more efficiently and capably than all the rest. Thus, he attracted the attention of the pagan king and earned a place of respect. He also attracted the envy of coworkers. These jealous officials couldn’t find anything about Daniel’s life to criticize, so they attacked his religion. If you face jealous critics because of your faith, be glad they’re criticizing that part of your life-perhaps they had to focus on your faith as a last resort! Respond by continuing to believe and live as you should. Then remember that G

WHAT OR WHO ARE THE SOURCES OF ACCUSATIONS? Zechariah 3:1 . . . Then the angel showed me Jeshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord. Satan was there at the angel’s right hand, accusing Jeshua of many things. Job 2:1 . . . One day the angels came again to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan the Accuser came with them. Revelation 12:9-11 . . . This great dragon-the ancient serpent called the Devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world-was thrown down to the earth with all his angels. Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, “It has happened at last-the salvation and power and kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ! For the Accuser has been thrown down to earth-the one who accused our brothers and sisters before our God day and night.” Satan is the ultimate false accuser. He makes believers doubt. John 7:7 . . . The world can’t hate you, but it does hate me because I accuse it of sin and evil. Jesus is the ultimate true

Jealousy is one of the most common emotions, but we often fail to see how it can also be one of the most dangerous. We’re jealous of those who have better houses, nicer cars, more vacation time, more attractive spouses, happier families, more talents. Jealousy is an emotion of passion, and jealousy uncontrolled leads to passionate hate. If allowed to go that far, it can drive an inflamed person to kill, as Cain killed Abel. Short of that, families have been broken, businesses poisoned, relationships destroyed through jealousy. WHY IS OUR JEALOUSY SO DANGEROUS? Proverbs 14:30 . . . A relaxed attitude lengthens life; jealousy rots it away. Jealousy brings decay to our lives because it causes us to focus on anger and bitterness. Proverbs 27:4 . . . Anger is cruel . . . but who can survive the destructiveness of jealousy? Genesis 13:7 . . . An argument broke out between the herdsmen of Abram and Lot. Jealousy tears families and friends apart. Jealousy drove Lot’s herdsmen to fight

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints (Ephesians 6:11-18)