Saturday

Unjust Accusations Are Destructive... Even During Election Time

Deuteronomy 19:15  One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established. 

When a nation allows free speech outside the halls of institutional justice, personal discipline by the citizens of that nation is necessary or the very fabric of civilization will be shredded. Unjust accusations can eat like a cancer at the most valued assets of a free society: trust and volunteerism. We must be cautious when making accusations of illegal behavior outside the structure of justice. For a Christian to accuse another person of wrong-doing, whether allowed by secular law or not, outside a just system is contrary to Biblical order.


Evidence presented in the context of a just hearing, is a basic building block of a civilized and ordered nation. Those who make unjust accusations under the guise of patriotism or liberty are actually eroding the very freedoms they claim to be upholding, and are moving their culture toward tyranny. Trust, discipline, and order are fundamental to liberty.

This verse, and others like it in both Testaments, show God's interest in justice. Not even a king (or Pastor) was lawfully allowed to bypass the fundamental requirements of justice. Standards of evidence and methods of justice differ from nation to nation, and age to age, but the principle of a fair hearing should be accepted as the only pathway to justice.

Making unjust accusations is easy to do... I've done it... especially when a person thinks he/she has been harmed, or in periods of high stress, or anger. A charge of wrong-doing might even be accurate... but the context of that accusation may be unjust, and the overriding principle of justice and fairness is higher than any personal grievance.

It is not my intent on this blog to unjustly speak about or accuse any person, in fact I try to write about timeless subjects, so anyone from any generation, nation, or context can read and find value. That doesn't mean I won't fail at some point. When I do make an unjust accusation in any context, please feel free to point it out. If I agree, then I will remove the comment, and, if necessary, issue an apology.


(This article was first published in print 10/08, posted here 10/30/10.)

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