Opposition Through False Accusations 

Matthew 12:24-28

24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.”

25 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? 27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

 

Many people suggested that Jesus might have been using the power of Satan. They were not desirous to see who Christ really was but only opposed  Him and sought to do away with Him.  They didn't want others to follow Him, so they attacked Him by falsely saying His power came from the devil. 

In the Middle Ages people who went against church officials were burned at the stake, boiled in oil, and beheaded. They murdered critics claiming they were of Satan. Churches that split find it easy to say disharmony is not only demonic, but people of the opposing sides are tools of Satan. So that was true with their attack on Christ. What could be further from truth? They claimed His spiritual power was by an evil force, and indeed by the power of the devil, Beelzebub, the prince of demons. 

Pharisees and Scribes, the separatists and legalists had been watching Jesus since the beginning of His ministry, and they were seeking to find some cause to have Him condemned to death. They were seeking to build a capital-offense case against Him on the charges of law breaking and blaspheming God.

Since Satan wouldn't kick out his own, what is the other option? Jesus points out the only other possibility.  What if I have received my power by the "finger of God?" One stronger than Satan stood before them.  Jesus was saying, "Therefore, since I have attacked Satan's kingdom and defeated him, now I am free to set his captives free. He who is not with me is against me; and he who does not gather with me scatters."

Leon Morris in his book on Luke, writes: "There can be no neutrality about this. When a man sees what the kingdom means, he must be either for it or against it.  Anyone who does not side with Christ in the battle against evil is against him. If anyone does not gather with Christ, he scatters.”

Reformation, without regeneration and the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, leaves a man clean but empty of power to resist the next invasion of demons. But even though Jesus used logical and spiritual explanations against his false accusers, they kept it up anyway.  That is the difference in conflict -you can enter into a reconciliation or opposition.  For someone seeking truth there can be a dialogue. When someone is only out to attack and discredit, then it is a monologue.” 

I've heard lots of stories in church splits. One group will accuse another group, and another group will counteract with the first. If they sit down and discuss their differences out of Christian love and desire to honor Christ a solution comes forth. But when discussion stops and people stop listening to reason, then Satan has won the battle with dissension Unfortunately, I have also listened to those in marital conflict. I am surprised how one act can be interpreted in such completely diverse ways by the two parties.  One sees only good, the other only bad. No matter what the other does, it is always interpreted as negative motives and actions. At that point dialogue ceases and people are at war looking to win at any cost. Generally, both lose.

 As Christians you will be falsely accused. Tell the truth and live in it, but don't think that will stop false accusations. You can only find peace in the fact God knows the truth and that is all that matters anyway. In the Beatitudes Jesus said in Matt. 5:11.12 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”