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Accuser Of The Brethren

In Revelation 12:10 Satan is referred to as "the accuser of our brethren." The word "accuse" is defined, "(1) to charge with, or declare to have committed a crime, (2) to find at fault; to blame . . ." (Webster Dictionary). Sometimes a person is justly accused. However, that is not what is referred to here.

Job was a good man. God himself testified to this fact. However, it did not matter to Satan. He accused Job anyway. Satan also tempts mankind. Hence, people can become "accusers of our brethren" and share in Satan's hurt and destruction.

 

And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. Revelation 12:10


Here we see a true picture of Satan as "the accuser of our brethren.":

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord. Job 1:6-12

Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the Lord. And the Lord said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause. And Satan answered the Lord, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. So went Satan forth from the presence of the Lord, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.  Job 2:1-7

We see people carrying out the destruction of Satan throughout the King James Bible. Job's brethren falsely accused him (Job 4:7-9). The Pharisees falsely accused Jesus (Matthew. 12:22-24). Among the sins characteristic of the "last days" is that some will be "false accusers" (2 Tim. 3:3). If people can become false accusers, then brethren can become false accusers. The danger that brethren might partake in Satan's bidding is of great concern.

A major cause of problems among brethren today is unproven accusations and brethren feeling free to make them. Brethren are doing the work of Satan. What happens when brethren accuse and are used by Satan?

People get hurt. Even a child is upset when accused of something of which he is not guilty. Job's friends hurt him with their words (Job 16:1-2). Job felt the inward pain that comes to one who is falsely accused as have many brethren today who have faced any untrue accusations.

Accusations hurt people. It is evident that Paul's reputation suffered in the eyes of some of his brethren in the church at Corinth because of false accusations made by his enemies there (2 Cor. 10:2, 10). They apparently even turned Paul's refusal of support from the church there into an accusation (2 Cor. 11:7-9; 12:13).


False accusations can poison the atmosphere among brethren. We need only look at Paul's relationship with the Corinthians to see that this point is valid. Because of the charges made against Paul by his enemies at Corinth, he was not able to continue with his work of building up the church there.


A large part of Paul's second letter to the Corinthians is explanations of his conduct and answers to his accusers (2Corinthians 1:12; 2:4; 4:2; 7:2; 12:19; chapters. 10-12). Brethren can come to believe the worst about their brethren simply by hearing and believing false accusations. Speaking curses in to the life of a Spirit filled Believer can cause grief. Brethren can be motivated by the desire to accuse others (Mark 3:2; John 8:6). False accusations can lead to the severing of relationships.


Think carefully before you speak. Seek to build bridges in communication in relationships, not to destroy the person you are communicating with. Be honest. Choose words carefully.


Anyone can make false accusations about anyone else and speak curses in to the life of another. God's people should seek what is true and not be led by idle words. Believer's should treat others as they would like to be treated (Matt. 7:12) and judge others by their fruits (Matt. 7:20; Gal. 2:14). Only speak words the Holy Spirit is telling you to speak.

 

Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. Colossians 4:6

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Ephesians 4:29

Satan is "the accuser of our brethren." It is bad enough that Satan is involved in such activity. God's people should want no part of Satan's destruction in the life of a brother or sister in Christ. Be aware of the words you speak. Do not speak curses in to the life of another. Speak truth from God's Word, words that edify, and minister grace to the hearer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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