01/04/2008 Sabbath Meeting Transcript

Praise Yahweh for His goodness

His mercy and lovingkindness is everlasting

This shabbat I would like to address the need for righteous judgment amongst the people of this age.

We spoke a couple weeks ago about the weightier matters of the Torah

Matthew 23:23 - Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

Since righteous judgment is a weightier matter, we ought to seek to understand it and walk in it.

We certainly don't want to be among those whom Yahushua would need to say "These you ought to have done!"

Of course, today we live in a society of instant everything

Everything from instant meals to instant communication to instant news and information

With this is a tendency even among brethren to be too "instant" in judgment of others

When a person can instantly judge a person with his mouth, the tendency is for others to marvel at him that he can so quickly discern something.

In fact, I get the impression that certain brethren seek to receive the praise of men in how quickly they can "discern the spirits" and judge/condemn bear witness of other's supposed evils.

But the danger of this is being a false witness against our neighbor.

This is an important matter.. important enough to be included in the Ten Commandments.

Of course, many of us have been taught that to "Thou shalt not bear false witness" simply means "Not to lie".

Ever wonder why it needs to be interpreted and reworded for us?

While this is true that bearing false witness does refer to lying, we will see that this commandment has a shade to it that is more precise than just telling a lie.

Exodus 20:16 - Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

What does it mean to be a false witness against our neighbor?

Here is one example in scripture:

Deuteronomy 19:16 - If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong;

Deuteronomy 19:17 - Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before YAHWEH, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days;

Deuteronomy 19:18 - And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother;

Deuteronomy 19:19 - Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you.

Deuteronomy 19:20 - And those which remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you.

Deuteronomy 19:21 - And thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.

To be a false witness against our neighbor basically means to falsely accuse someone else of wrongdoing.

In the law of Yahweh, false witnesses are dealt with very harshly.

We see in the above verses that if a person was found to be bearing false witness against another person, they would be given the punishment that the other person would have received if the witness was true!

With such a righteous law, we can understand why 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses' every matter truly was established. If anyone rose up as a false witness, they would be given the same punishment they thought to give to their neighbor.... risking their own life!

With such a thing facing them, they would be very careful what they say about another person!

If this righteous rule were established in today's court systems, there wouldn't be nearly the problems we see today.

But since it isn't established, false witnesses are abundant on the witness stand of the court systems today

And the judges and juries are left to figure out "who is lying"

That makes for a very shaky justice system!

For who can discern and judge the hearts correctly every single time? Yahweh alone!

Notice that the judges were required to make 'diligent inquisition', meaning that they were to be very careful and search diligently before making a judgment. We see this in other instances as well:

Deuteronomy 13:12 - If thou shalt hear say in one of thy cities, which YAHWEH thy Elohim hath given thee to dwell there, saying,

Deuteronomy 13:13 - Certain men, the children of Belial, are gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other elohim, which ye have not known;

Deuteronomy 13:14 - Then shalt thou enquire, and make search, and ask diligently; and, behold, if it be truth, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought among you;

Deuteronomy 13:15 - Thou shalt surely smite the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, destroying it utterly, and all that is therein, and the cattle thereof, with the edge of the sword.

And again:

Deuteronomy 17:2 - If there be found among you, within any of thy gates which YAHWEH thy Elohim giveth thee, man or woman, that hath wrought wickedness in the sight of YAHWEH thy Elohim, in transgressing his covenant,

Deuteronomy 17:3 - And hath gone and served other elohim, and worshipped them, either the sun, or moon, or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded;

Deuteronomy 17:4 - And it be told thee, and thou hast heard of it, and enquired diligently, and, behold, it be true, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought in Israel:

Deuteronomy 17:5 - Then shalt thou bring forth that man or that woman, which have committed that wicked thing, unto thy gates, even that man or that woman, and shalt stone them with stones, till they die.

So we see in these verses the importance of making diligent inquiry before judging that someone has done wrong or evil.

While it is true that the context of these cases would be in a court of law, it is also true that judgment begins at the household of Yahweh:

1Peter 4:17 - For the time [has] [come] for judgment to begin at the house of YAHWEH; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the glad tidings of YAHWEH?

1Corinthians 6:2 - Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

The principles of judgment are the same. Yahweh's will concerning judgment of matters is consistent throughout all of scripture.

A DILIGENT inquiry must be made before making any sort of judgment or being a witness against another.

If this is not done, and a false witness speaks...there are very serious consequences.

It is a grievous sin in the eyes of Yahweh and he is not pleased.

But so often, my brethren...

SO SO often...

I have seen where people are very quick to judge the character of another person, with hardly any inquiry at all!

So... so often, I have seen quick, snap judgments and accusations that another person has or is doing something wrong when the person has truly done nothing at all!

Indeed.. so often I have seen one person assassinate the character or reputation of another person based on suspicions and phony spiritual discernment, when in reality there is an unclean spirit that is bringing these things to their mind.

What's more, such accusations are often done privately and without the other person's knowledge.

Brethren, let me speak to you freely and bluntly to inform you that anyone practicing such things is bearing false witness and is imitating the accuser/adversary/devil!

In fact, the Greek word from which we get the term "Devil" is 'diabolos' and means "Accuser".

For instance, another form of this word "diaballo" is found in Luke 16:1...

Luke 16:1 - And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.

Luke 16:2 - And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.

The word that is translated "Accused" in verse 1 is "diabollo" (#1225), from where we get "Diabolos" (Devil).

Letting the context in thise verse offer a good definition of "diabollo", we can see that "accused" would be a pretty good translation. Why is it that the adversary is called "accuser"?

Revelation 12:10 - Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our Elohim, and the power of His Messiah have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our Elohim day and night, has been cast down.

Revelation 12:11 - "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

Who is this "accuser of our brethren"?

Look at the previous verse (9):

Revelation 12:9 - So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

As we see, the devil/accuser can be quite active in accusing the brethren before Yahweh day and night. He often divides people and he can quickly deceive a person into thinking another person is doing evil.

The result is: DIVIDE & CONQUER!

"Diabolos" is the LXX (Septuagint) translation of the Hebrew word "Satan" meaning "Adversary". (The Septuagint is a greek translation of the "Old Testament" that predates the "New Testament" writings).

From the beginning, a predominant characteristic of the adversary (satan) is indeed the role of an accuser.

We see this theme in the book of Genesis:

Genesis 3:1 - Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which YAHWEH Elohim had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath Elohim said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

Genesis 3:2 - And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:

Genesis 3:3 - But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, Elohim hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

Genesis 3:4 - And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

Genesis 3:5 - For Elohim doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be like Elohim, knowing good and evil.

Part of the temptation that the adversary offered was a "subtil" (subtle) accusation toward Elohim.

The accusation was that Elohim was actually weak. And he suggests that the reason why Elohim didn't want Eve to eat from the tree was because Elohim wanted to keep her from being like He is.

The "subtle" implication is that Eve could be just like Elohim and not be under His authority anymore.

Consider also the exchange between satan and Yahweh in the book of Job:

Job 1:8 - And YAHWEH 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 Elohim, and escheweth evil?

Job 1:9 - Then Satan answered YAHWEH, and said, Doth Job fear Elohim for nought?

Job 1:10 - 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.

Job 1:11 - But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.

This was an accusation from the accuser/adversary stating that Job only served Yahweh because Yahweh blessed and protected him. Also implied is an accusation toward Yahweh that the only reason people serve Him is if He gives them what they want.

After Job didn't curse Yahweh as the adversary had falsely predicted, the following happened:

Job 2:3 - And YAHWEH 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 Elohim, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.

Job 2:4 - And Satan answered YAHWEH, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.

Job 2:5 - But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.

So the adversary once again made the accusation that Job would curse Yahweh to His face if Yahweh permitted bad things to happen to him.

We can see some consistency in the spirit of the adversary. It is a spirit of false accusations.

If you continue reading the book of Job, you will see that this same spirit later influenced Job's three "friends" to accuse him of wrongdoing. They continuously tried to say that Yahweh was punishing him for his sins, but this was not the reason for the afflictions.

In fact, a spirit had appeared to one of his "friends", Eliphaz:

Job 4:12 - Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a little thereof.

Job 4:13 - In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men,

Job 4:14 - Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake.

Job 4:15 - Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up:

Job 4:16 - It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before mine eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying,

Job 4:17 - Shall mortal man be more just than Eloah? shall a man be more pure than his maker?

Job 4:18 - Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly:

Job 4:19 - How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth?

In this was the "subtle" accusation that Yahweh was punishing Job for wrongdoing.

If you continue reading Job, his three friends continuously accused him of sins.

They accused him of hypocrisy, wickedness, more wicked than demons, foolishness, sin, despising chastening, vain talk, not fearing Yahweh, turning against Yahweh, trusting in riches, not knowing Elohim, haughtiness, robbery, oppressing/forsaking the poor, robbery, limiting Elohim, rejecting Elohim, and being greatly wicked without end.

All this for a man of whom Yahweh said:

Job 1:8 - And YAHWEH 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 Elohim, and escheweth evil?

I assure you, these same kinds of unclean spirits are quite active today brethren!

Yahweh later rebuked these three "friends":

Job 42:7 - And it was so, that after YAHWEH had spoken these words unto Job, YAHWEH said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.

It is very important that we are not influenced by this same type of spirit in any way, shape or form. We do not want to be like the adversary.

Instead, we need to be like Yahushua! We know that Yahushua came to this earth where He was often accused, but He never falsely accused anyone.

He was smitten, spit on, mocked, and tortured to death:

Mark 15:19 - And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him.

Mark 15:20 - And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.

With all they had done to Him, one would think that He had every reason in the world to accuse these people to the Father and seek their destruction.

But Yahushua, being wise, understanding, and full of compassion, said:

Luke 23:33 - And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

Luke 23:34 - Then said Yahushua, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Brethren, we must seek the wisdom, the understanding and the truth of Yahweh before we set out to accuse another.

If Yahushua lacked Yahweh's wisdom, it would have been easy for Him to judge their motives as being purely evil and wrong. But He understood that they simply didn't know what they were even doing.

Even when a person has done a wrong, we should seek Yahweh's wisdom and understand where mercy comes in. Yahushua prayed that Yahweh would forgive them because they were ignorantly doing evil.

It is too often the case that when a person does wrong and deserves mercy--or even when they haven't done wrong--a whispering accusation is spoken in the ears of another.

Scripture says:

Psalms 101:5 - Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.

Notice that pride was associated with the slander in that verse? Indeed, often a major reason behind such things is to feed one's own pride by putting another person down.

They seek to peer down at another person and make judgments about them (real or imagined) so that they themselves might seem to be above them!

But scripture says:

Philippians 2:3 - Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

False accusers are among the evil traits of those who we will come to find in the last days:

2Timothy 3:1 - This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2Timothy 3:2 - For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

2Timothy 3:3 - Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

We certainly do not want to have any of these characteristics, including being a false accuser. These are characteristics of evil, not good. We must realize the importance of not being a false accuser!

Today, entire ministries are based on false or unproven accusations!

There are numerous ministries on the internet and elsewhere which claim to promote "Cutting edge information" (which is often nothing more than gossip) on the latest conspiracy of this government or that government...

of this world leader planning or doing this.. and that world leader planning or doing that..

When in reality those who make these claims don't really have any proof at all! Have they made diligent inquiry as the Torah commands?

It's just a bunch of "Could be's" or "maybe's" or "possibilities". No diligent inquiry is really made, nor is one really possible in many cases.

I'm just as skeptical about them as I am the mainstream news media.

In reality, we really don't know what goes on in the White House every day. Is George Bush a fake? Is he really a Christian? Is he part of some conspiracy? Do we really know for 100% sure one way or the other?

Some claim one thing evil about him and some another..

But do we really know???

Can we really prove anything? Do we sit in on their meetings? Are we present when he meets with his chiefs of staff?

We must be very diligent that we do not bear false witness or circulate any false report.

Now I'm not saying that we shouldn't sound the alarm when provable things are taking place. But entire "ministries" are devoted to the latest rumor/lie that nobody can really prove one way or another.

Brethren, let's forsake the gossip and choose to cleave to sound doctrine. Let's focus on truth and let the truths in Yahweh's word be our meditation!

We know that scripture teaches the whole world will follow after the beast. But how/why/when/where/through what means that will take place? It's anyone's guess really!

Who would have thought of the internet 20 years ago?

What will that play in predictive prophecy being fulfilled?

We don't know for sure

Let's allow the words we speak be 100% truth.

We know Yahweh always tells us the truth.

Let's return to sound doctrine and let the truth of Yahweh's word speak!

How important is it? We read that one of the requirements of women who are elders is that they not be false accusers:

Titus 2:1 - But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

Titus 2:2 - That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

Titus 2:3 - The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

Titus 2:4 - That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

Titus 2:5 - To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of YAHWEH be not blasphemed.

One of the most common places of false accusation is in the home.

A child can be falsely accused; a spouse can be falsely accused

Children can falsely accuse their parents

Righteous judgment begins at the household of Yahweh. This is where we are probably tested the most!

We ought not be false accusers. It is the enemies and adversaries of Yahweh that are the false accusers. Yahushua encountered some who made a number of attempts to accuse him:

Matthew 12:10 - And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.

And again..

Matthew 27:12 - And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.

And again..

Luke 11:53 - And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things:

Luke 11:54 - Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.

In the end, it was the false accusation of blasphemy that sentenced Him to death. It is so important to not falsely accuse! False accusation is what brought Yahushua to be sentenced to death!

Matthew 26:64 - Yahushua saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

Matthew 26:65 - Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.

Matthew 26:66 - What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.

Never underestimate the power of a false accusation.

Yahushua rightly said that they neglected the weightier matters of the Torah, righteous judgment!

The apostles were also accused, especially Paul who was doing a whole lot of damage to Yahweh's enemies:

Acts 24:5 - For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:

Acts 24:6 - Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.

Acts 24:7 - But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,

Acts 24:8 - Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.

It is the enemies of Yahweh that spend their time falsely accusing the brethren so they can bring them down. It surely should not be that the brethren are falsely accusing one another!

Neither do we need to be spending our time finding the latest thing to accuse various world leaders of being guilty of.

Rather, we need to be spending our time, on our knees... praying for these leaders.

Jeremiah 29:7 - And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto YAHWEH for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.

1Timothy 2:1 - I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

1Timothy 2:2 - For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all reverence and seriousness.

Be assured, we will be falsely accused by the world. But Kepha/Peter wrote that we are to live our lives in such a way that our works bring shame to those who falsely accuse us:

1Peter 3:15 - But set apart YAHWEH in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

1Peter 3:16 - having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in the Messiah may be ashamed.

1Peter 3:17 - For it is better, if it is the will of YAHWEH, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

And again..

1Peter 2:11 - Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,

1Peter 2:12 - having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify YAHWEH in the day of visitation.

Younger women are encouraged to live likewise:

1Timothy 5:14 - I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

1Timothy 5:15 - For some are already turned aside after Satan.

Paul, when writing to Titus wrote about the necessity of a leader being without fault:

Titus 1:5 - For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

Titus 1:6 - If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.

Titus 1:7 - For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of YAHWEH; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

Titus 1:8 - But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, set-apart, temperate;

Titus 1:9 - Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

Titus 1:10 - For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:

Titus 1:11 - Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

Titus 1:12 - One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.

Titus 1:13 - This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;

Titus 1:14 - Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

Titus 1:15 - Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

In the above verses, I think it is worthy to note that "Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled"

This is so true, and it is often the one whose mind is so focused on evil and wrong that is quick to accuse others of doing evil and wrong.

But we should not be among the false accusers. If it is we who have to deal with false accusers, then we should surely not be like them!

Rather than responding with a false accusation of our own, we should simply live our lives so that our conduct reproves those who accuse us.

If they seek to trap us in our words and accuse us, taking us out of context and slandering us. Our conduct can prove to any that the things which they say are not true.

Daniel was an example of that:

Daniel 6:3 - Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.

Daniel 6:4 - Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.

In Daniel's case, they couldn't even find wrongdoing at all

Except, in their mind...

Daniel 6:5 - Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his Elohim.

Daniel 6:6 - Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever.

If we are falsely accused, we are actually "blessed" and we are more like Yahushua:

If we are falsely accused, we are actually "blessed" and we are more like Yahushua:

Matthew 5:11 - Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Do we see the battle lines drawn brethren? It is the adversary that is seeking to bring reproach upon the innocent. He did so with Yahushua and we can expect it to be done to us:

Matthew 10:24 - The disciple is not above his teacher, nor the servant above his master.

Matthew 10:25 - It is enough for the disciple that he be as his teacher, and the servant as his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?

Now it is important to note that accusing is not necessarily inherently evil. It is a necessary part of judging wrongdoing.

We just need to be VERY sure we are on the right side of Yahweh's judgment when we choose to accuse.

Proverbs 17:15 - He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to YAHWEH.

Therefore, let's flee from abominations and lets embrace the wisdom and understanding of Yahweh. Let's seek to abide in Yahweh's holy hill:

Psalms 15:1 - YAHWEH, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?

Psalms 15:2 - He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.

Psalms 15:3 - He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.

Therefore, let's be sure that we refrain from evil speaking and let's embrace mercy and truth:

James 4:11 - Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.

James 4:12 - There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?

And again..

James 5:9 - Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!

and again..

Ephesians 4:31 - Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.

Ephesians 4:32 - And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as YAHWEH in the Messiah forgave you.

So often, false accusations between two persons are actually rooted in bitterness.

When two people are at odds over something, false accusations are often flying back and forth. Why?

Because each person believes the other is a person of poor character, suspicions of wrongdoing are much more frequent.

An innocent action is perceived as an evil action simply because one person doesn't believe the other person is of good character. Everything the other person does is seen through those lenses.

Thus, arguments are merely two people repeating the things which unclean spirits whisper in their ears!

This ought not be so! We must be a true witness in every matter and not let the defiling work of bitterness cloud and defile our judgment!

Hebrews 12:14 - Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see YAHWEH:

Hebrews 12:15 - looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the favor of YAHWEH; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;

If our brother sins against us, we should be reading and following Matthew 18:15-17 rather than slandering them everywhere we go.

Matthew 18:15 - Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

Matthew 18:16 - But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

Matthew 18:17 - And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

If we follow these steps, we may even find out we totally misunderstood and were totally wrong! This is probably one reason why we should go to them personally first.

Another reason is they may indeed repent!

Such bitterness also can occur in a marriage, especially if there have been marital troubles. Husbands (the authority in the home) are particularly warned about this:

Colossians 3:19 - Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

Bitterness a husband holds against the wife for past wrongs will too often result in future false suspicions of wrongdoing.. and consequently, false accusation and unrighteous judgment.

When such accusations are exposed as false, husbands must repent and seek forgiveness rather than just brushing it off and ignoring the fact that a sin was just committed.

Yahweh give Your people righteous judgment in all things!

If we hear an accusation, a report of evil about anyone (brethren, leaders of congregations, friends, neighbors or nations) and we are uncertain of the matter... we must be extra sure that we are not spreading it:

Exodus 23:1 - Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.

Emails ("forwards") are common breeding ground for such things. Unless you know 100% as a fact that the thing which was sent to you is true, don't pass it along!

Just because everyone else is accusing, that doesn't automatically make the accusation correct.

Exodus 23:2 - Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:

We should beware, and keep ourselves from any false matter.

Exodus 23:7 - Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.

We should seek the truth of a matter lest we be found guilty of spreading a false report. In fact, we should seek Yahweh's will and love the person enough to tell them if possible.

We should seek the truth of a matter lest we be found guilty of spreading a false report. In fact, we should seek Yahweh's will and love the person enough to tell them if possible.

When we think evil of another and we really do not know for sure, we are wise to not assume the evil thought to be true. And we are wiser still not to condemn them, especially if we have our own things to overcome (and don't we all!)

Matthew 7:1 - Judge not, that ye be not judged.

Matthew 7:2 - For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

Matthew 7:3 - And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

Matthew 7:4 - Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

Matthew 7:5 - Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

Yes, so often a person thinks or says evil of another but they themselves are guilty of the same or even greater sins. They are knocking everyone over with the huge timber in their eye while they accuse another person to make themselves feel better!

Consider this: The minute you judge another's salvation for his own lack of understanding in a matter.. are you not endangering yourself? For Yahweh knows if you might be ignorant on another matter.

We need to be wise, understanding and merciful... just as Yahushua was who was so very merciful:

Matthew 5:7 - Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

If we are unsure, we can choose to investigate and make diligent inquiry.

We are far better off not to accuse another of wrongdoing in our minds or with our mouths unless we are 100% sure of the matter.

If we find it to be so, we should take it to that person rather than whisper it to someone else. For what good does it do to tell everyone else about a person's sin? It doesn't help or love the sinner. Do what you would want done to you.

It would be an act of love to tell the brother who sinned:

Leviticus 19:17 - Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.

Leviticus 19:18 - Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am YAHWEH.

Telling some other person is not the answer. Hiding it from the person is not the answer. Going to the person is the way of righteousness and mercy and uprightness:

James 5:19 - Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back,

James 5:20 - let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

And if we should go to the person, we should do so in meekness:

Galatians 6:1 - Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

It could be that you didn't have correct information about a matter and were wrong in your judgment. Always listen when going to the person...for you might be wrong!

Proverbs 18:17 - He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

Therefore..

2Timothy 2:24 - And the servant of YAHWEH must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

2Timothy 2:25 - In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if YAHWEH peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

2Timothy 2:26 - And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

and again...

James 3:13 - Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct [that] his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.

May Yahweh form all of us into wise and understanding people.

When we are meek, we won't be so quick to wrongly judge another.

When we aren't so quick to judge another, we are ourselves spared from judgment.

Brethren, I am quite sure that we are going to need all the mercy we can get on the day of judgment. I know that I will take all the mercy I can get.

Therefore, let's cease from snap judgments based on false pretenses, phony spiritual discernments, false witnesses and evil thoughts

Let's cease from false accusations based on mere suspicions and spiritual pride.

Lest we find ourselves imitating the father of lies.

Let's cease from falsely accusing a person based on past experiences with others. Every person is different.

Instead...

Let's forever seek to intercede and plead the cause of the falsely accused.

Let's forever seek to make diligent inquiry before making any accusation.

Let's forever seek to imitate the One who IS the truth.

Let's forever seek the TRUTH in every matter...

resisting every false thought...

...and the one who would inspire them.

May Yahweh bless you, and may He have mercy on us all!