faith unfaded

I’ll be honest—few things sting more than being lied about. When someone continually slanders you, twisting the truth and attacking your character, every part of me wants to fight back. My flesh wants to defend myself, prove them wrong, set the record straight. I want everyone to see the truth right now.

But then I remember: God sees. God knows. And ultimately, God is my defender.

That doesn’t mean I always get it right. I wrestle with when to stand up for myself and when to stay quiet. Sometimes silence feels weak. Sometimes speaking up feels like I’m stepping out of God’s will. The balance is hard.

Scripture helps me steady my heart. Proverbs 26:4-5 tells us there is a time to answer a fool and a time not to:

“Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.”

Even in back-to-back verses, the Bible shows that wisdom is situational. Sometimes God calls me to speak truth calmly, to stand up with integrity. Other times He calls me to stay silent and trust that He will reveal the truth in His timing.

Jesus Himself knew this struggle. In Matthew 27, when He stood falsely accused before Pilate, “He gave him no answer, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor” (v.14). Yet in other moments, Jesus did speak and boldly confront lies. His example reminds me that silence is not weakness; it can be obedience.

And then there’s Romans 12:19:

“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”

That verse cuts right to my heart. Because the truth is—I want to take revenge. I want to fight back. But God calls me to a higher way. To trust that His timing, His justice, and His truth are stronger than anything I could force.

So I’m learning. Slowly. I’m learning to pray before I respond. To ask God, “Is this a time to speak, or a time to be silent?” I’m learning to hand Him the hurt, even when it feels unbearable. I’m learning that He is my vindicator.

And maybe most of all, I’m learning that turning the other cheek doesn’t mean letting lies define me. It means I choose to let God define me instead.

A Prayer for When the Lies Hurt

Lord, You see my heart. You know the truth when others twist it, and You know how much it hurts to be misrepresented. I confess that I want to fight back, to defend myself, to prove I’m right. But I also want to honor You above all else.

Give me wisdom to know when to speak and when to stay silent. Guard my tongue so that my words bring light, not more fire. Heal the hurt in my heart and keep me from bitterness. Remind me that You are my defender, and Your timing is perfect.

Help me trust You to make the truth known in Your way and in Your time. And while I wait, anchor me in Your peace. Let my life reflect Your love—even to those who wrong me.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.