Watching situations play out in the media, like a trial that currently has my attention, I am reminded that there will always be people who will “attempt” to discredit others. Some people will use a person’s past to discredit them. Some people will use their current circumstances to discredit them. Some people will use their race to discredit them. Some people will make up stories to discredit them. (Okay, let me say it how I really feel. Some people will just lie to discredit them). To discredit means to harm someone’s good reputation. To be honest, it is difficult to watch or experience for that matter.
Believe it or not, Jesus can relate. John documented an incident in history when Jewish leaders attempted to discredit Jesus based on his “race” and “mental health.” John 8:48-51 ESV states, “The Jews answered him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?” Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge. Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”
In summary, people who considered themselves to be “pure Jews,” hated the Samaritans due to their mixed race heritage. They felt as if the Jewish people who married outside their race betrayed their people and nation. Therefore, when the Jewish leaders referred to Jesus as a Samaritan, they wanted to discredit him based on his race but Jesus was on a mission. His mission was to do the will of the Father, so he did not give credence to their statement about his race. He didn’t have to prove anything to them because he was not there for his own glory.
When they asked the question regarding the “demon,” it was another attempt to discredit him based on his mental health. (Research shows that a person with a “demon” was considered to be mentally unstable or at that time crazy.) Again, Jesus was on a mission, so he did not allow them to pull him into an argument. He simply stated, “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge. Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”
Jesus acknowledged the fact that they were dishonoring him; however, he did not allow it to distract him. In the same vein, our mission is to do the will of the Father and we cannot allow the enemy to distract us. Distractions come in many different forms and discrediting someone falls into that category. As a believer, we must remember that the “enemy” can’t tell us who we are or what is on the inside of us. As a believer, we must remember that Jesus is on the inside of us and he will help us respond during those moments accordingly. Please remember that silence is also a response and Jesus didn’t argue with them about who he was. He stood on the word of God. Just think about it. Then, go to the Father and pray about it.
#Soul Searching with Our Father#
