(15) From the fear of being calumniated, deliver me, Jesus.
Calumny.
It’s not a word we use much—but oh, we know what it feels like.
It’s not just gossip.
It’s character assassination.
It’s when someone knowingly spreads lies or twisted truths to damage your name—your credibility—your life.
It’s slander with intent.
It’s defamation in its most personal form.
And the worst part?
You don’t get to answer for yourself.
They’ve already made up their minds.
I’ve been there.
And maybe you have too.
Tried. Convicted. Punished.
No conversation. No hearing. No mercy.
It’s the feeling of being erased and misrepresented at the same time.
And we don’t just fear the pain.
We fear the helplessness.
That we can’t clear our name.
That people will believe the lie.
That the story of who we used to be will override the story of who we are now.
So what do we do?
Some of us fight.
Some hide.
Some start editing the truth to sound better than it is.
Some go quiet and numb and bitter.
But Jesus… You didn’t do any of that.
They said You were a drunkard.
A blasphemer.
A fraud.
They put words in Your mouth and motives in Your heart—and twisted it all.
And You… stayed silent.
Not because You were weak, but because You were free.
You didn’t need to defend what the Father had already approved.
Your integrity stood taller than their lies.
But what about us, Lord?
What about the ones reading this who haven’t always lived with integrity?
What if the slander is tangled up in our past?
Then we hear Your voice, Lord. Calm. Clear. Not condemning—just true.
“Then be honest with Me.”
‘Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.’
(Proverbs 28:13)
“Own what’s yours.”
‘If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’
(1 John 1:9)
“Don’t add new lies to cover old ones.”
‘Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.’
(Ephesians 4:25)
“Don’t return fire for fire.”
‘Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.’
(1 Peter 3:9)
“Take the high road—even if it costs you something.”
‘If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.’
(Matthew 5:40)
“Repentance still shines.”
‘Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.’
(Matthew 3:8)
“Change still speaks.”
‘Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.’
(Matthew 5:16)
“And mercy still rebuilds what the enemy tried to bury.”
‘I will restore to you the years the locusts have eaten.’
(Joel 2:25)
And for those of us who didn’t deserve it—who were falsely accused, shut out, or slandered by someone we once loved?
You see it all.
You know the truth.
And You whisper:
“They may be speaking about your past, but I’m speaking over your future.”
“You don’t need to defend what I’ve already redeemed.”
And You remind us:
“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written: ‘Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
(Romans 12:19)
So Jesus—deliver us.
From the fear of being misrepresented.
From the fear of losing our voice.
From the urge to fight dirty or spiral into self-doubt.
Let us stand tall in humility.
Let us walk clean, not loud.
Let us trust that truth outlives the lie.
And that You always keep the final word.
You defend what is Yours.
And we are Yours.
Amen.
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