December 12, 2025 Devo

Have you ever had someone lie about you? I have. It’s really hurtful. Maybe it’s something they thought was true, but it wasn’t. Maybe it was something they heard (or misheard) and decided to pass on. Or maybe it was simply something they made up to try to smear your name. Some people do it because they’re jealous of you. Some do it because they’re angry with you. Still others do it because they feel it’ll somehow elevate themselves.
Whatever the reason or context, it’s a painful ordeal. Social media has added to the injury of all this by giving people a megaphone to spread the lie. I think what hurts even more than the lie, though, is when you hear it’s being spread or believed by people who should know you better than that. Lies hurt. Betrayal cuts you to the core.
You can spend a lot of time and energy trying to fight the lie, and there may be times when there are good reasons to do that. There may be situations where you need to confront, do an intervention, or ask for the mediation of someone in authority. But I’ve found that the best defense is a good offense. Just be who you are. Be that person consistently, constantly, and in all circumstances. When people see the real you over and over again, they learn who you really are and what you’re really about. Your consistency of character is your best shield. What DOESN’T work is trying to retaliate against those who have slandered you by taking shots at the lives or character of those who have spread the lies. Being a jerk to the jerks just makes you one of the jerks. And it’s not the Jesus way.
So what should you do? Well, Jesus says you should “pray for those who persecute you.” And I don’t think He means to call down fire from heaven upon them. Pray for them because they are obviously tortured souls to do such a thing. Pray for their healing. Pray for their awakening. Pray for them to see past their pain and see the person you really are. And give them over to God. People don’t control your destiny. God does. You focus on your character. Trust God to take care of your reputation. That’s God’s Word for you today.