Resisting The Urge To Defend Yourself

Ruth

Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.

—1 Peter 2:12 NLT

Our family was in the process of transitioning from a church where my husband had served as a pastor. Change, anywhere, is difficult. So on one hand we understood the mixture of emotion many people felt. But what we were unprepared for was the amount of people talking about the transition in ways that were not entirely accurate.

We’ve probably all experienced the sting of people’s comments. Live long enough and we inevitably have people who love us, are indifferent to us, and of course, just don’t like us! But what do you do when people insult you or even say things that aren’t entirely true of you? The Bible has a surprising answer: let your life be your greatest argument.

Of course, there is a time to lovingly and gently approach someone who has wronged you or misspoken about you. We are to humbly seek peace when it is possible. But there are certainly times when we have to resist the urge to get even, demand justice, or even defend ourselves.

In 1 Peter 2:12, Peter used Jesus as the best example of someone who suffered unjustly. Peter reminded us that our greatest defense is our lives. “Live such good lives” that even when people falsely accuse us, they may in time be won over because of our actions—the testimony of our lives. Peter told us that Jesus didn’t try to get even. He didn’t sulk, grow bitter, or vengeful. Instead, “He entrusted himself to him who judges justly” (v. 23). Jesus placed His life in God the Father’s hands, knowing He alone is the One who judges completely, accurately, and with justice.

People’s approval will come and go. But if we are in Christ, God’s approval of us never changes.

Don’t be moved by the approval or disapproval of people. You don’t have to defend yourself. You have a Father who loves you and knows the whole truth about you. Let your life be your greatest argument!

Father, thank You for loving me and accepting me in Christ. Remind me that Your approval never changes. Help me resist the urge to defend myself. I entrust myself to You, the One who judges justly. I know You fight for me, and in the end, Your approval matters most. In Jesus’ name, amen.

When is it appropriate to defend yourself?

Why is it so important to “entrust” your life to the One who judges justly?