Liars cannot withstand the scrutiny of truth, yet they often retaliate by branding the honest as deceivers, twisting genuine statements until they appear fraudulent. Remarkably, it is the truth-tellers who suffer persecution, while habitual liars frequently escape censure. The world is quick to pardon falsehoods but seems incapable of forgiving those who speak plainly. Though common sense dictates that deceit yields no lasting good, the majority still prefer the comfort of a pleasant lie to the sting of an unwelcome truth.
Those committed to truth rarely level direct accusations; instead, they quietly expose falsehoods, seeking no recognition. Their goal is to illuminate reality, not necessarily to shame the misguided. They concentrate on presenting facts, trusting that those who have been misled will reach their own conclusions. This approach stems from the conviction that no human—save Jesus Christ—is without flaw.
The accusations once leveled against Christ are nullified by His death and resurrection, which stand as His ultimate vindication. Moreover, sincere truth-seekers refrain from aggressive self-defense, ever mindful that their own perspectives may also harbor imperfections. To uproot deception on a global scale, we must first acknowledge our own capacity for error—particularly in spiritual matters. Scripture warns that we are living in turbulent times; lasting peace is not assured, and disturbing events are prophesied to unfold.
While many cling to hopes of universal harmony, the reality is likely to be a mixture of localized peace and escalating anarchy. This chaos often originates from false accusations against those who endeavor to convey hard truths. Ultimately, the Book of Revelation unveils the very roots of this phenomenon, offering profound insight into why such strife persists and how it fits into a larger divine narrative:
“And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” (Revelation 12:7-9 NKJV)
Understanding the mechanics of deception is crucial, given that Satan is revealed as the deceiver of the whole world. As a spirit being, Satan is not physically visible, yet his influence is unmistakable in human behaviour. People can serve either as a mouthpiece for God or for the devil. Recognizing the principle of accusation is key to discerning such deception.
Those who habitually blame others may be misperceived as defenders of truth, when in fact they would be doing the opposite. Their focus lies on attacking personalities rather than eliminating untruths. It is essential to distinguish between targeting a person and confronting the falsehood itself.
“Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, ‘Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.’” (Revelation 12:10-12 NKJV)
Satan’s nature is to accuse individuals rather than to correct mistakes. He seeks to undermine personalities, suggesting they are unworthy of life. In stark contrast, truthful individuals focus on rectifying errors rather than fixating on those they deem blameworthy. Those who engage in accusing others instead of embodying change align themselves with the role of Satan—often sincerely believing they are right, yet acting under his deception. Identifying such accusers is vital for anyone committed to advancing divine truths. Truthful people remain undaunted even when accused, secure in their identity as God’s children.
A truthful person takes on the responsibility of addressing injustice without pointing fingers or mounting self-defenses. Impostors, on the other hand, strive to establish their own correctness, often at the expense of others. The world abounds with those who desire to be seen as right, thereby implicating others as wrong. Regardless of one’s sincerity, claiming absolute righteousness equates to being an agent of malevolence. No human being can ever be entirely right in every aspect. Some may be more correct than others, but the state of complete correctness is unattainable in the human condition.
When exploring why people seek to make others wrong and themselves right, pride stands out as the dominant factor. Deception gains a foothold only by inflating the ego. In this scenario, individuals adopt a posture of superiority over those they accuse of wrongdoing. Empathy is absent from their mindset. From this elevated perch, they become defensive, striving to justify their own apparent mistakes. As a result, changing their perspective becomes nearly impossible, because they have already labelled the other person as wrong.
Rightness exists independently and requires no defence; wrongness stands alone. Humans do not determine what is right or wrong; rather, they become entangled in the complexities of these opposing concepts. When a person holds a belief they consider to be right, they often adopt a defensive stance, seeking to assert dominance over those who do not share their viewpoint. This behaviour highlights the flawed condition of humanity, especially within church communities.
Denominations often thrive on assuming that they possess the ultimate truth while viewing others as wrong. This mindset fosters a culture of condemnation toward those who do not adhere to a specific denomination’s beliefs. Each group strives to uphold its own perspective, which can lead to blindness to other viewpoints. This tendency frequently obstructs the genuine understanding of Christian teachings as intended by God.
Any lay member who approaches church authorities with a truth that challenges the group faces backlash, censure, or is labelled a troublemaker. The credibility of a denomination’s statements, especially when compared with others’ teachings, is considered paramount. Protecting the community from external influences deemed incorrect is therefore a primary objective. Any attempt to highlight truths from external sources is actively suppressed.
Leadership within a denominational group exists to safeguard the group’s interests—this is precisely why Jesus invalidated hierarchical leadership in Christianity. Those corporate interests are commonly aligned with those of the leader or the group’s founder. Ordinary members are subject to the dictates authorized by the leadership, which will not willingly confront Scriptures that contradict the group’s statement of beliefs. To remain free from the effects of falsehood, Paul’s emphatic response remains unchallengeable:
“Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written: ‘So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.’” (Romans 3:4 NIV).
It is vital to remember that making others wrong while trying to prove oneself right is a deceptive trick, often associated with Satan. Seeking to stand firm in the truth can be deeply challenging, making those who attempt it feel vulnerable and unsettled. Instead of finding comfort in the teachings of Jesus, many ordinary Christians avoid further study out of fear of alienating themselves from their group. This spells out the real and unnecessary challenge faced by many believers. Consequently, they resort to relying on misinterpretations of Scripture, including some of Paul’s writings.
Romans 13:1-7 is a passage particularly appealing to government dictators. It is important to bear in mind that this letter addressed specific issues the original recipients faced. Every teaching, regardless of its source, must be compared with the words of Jesus. Much of Paul’s counsel in the epistles addresses cultural circumstances and was never designed for universal doctrinal adoption—especially where monarchies are no longer applicable. The group being addressed may even have included those not yet baptized. Such scriptures are easily manipulated by Satan, as highlighted in Revelation 12:7-9.
Authoritarian leaders in Christianity prefer to disregard many Scriptures while clinging to those that appear to endorse their authority. Yet Jesus was unmistakably clear about the principles of His kingdom, particularly in what He conveyed to His disciples—principles emphasized in passages such as Matthew 20:25-28 and Matthew 23:8-13. Paul also shared this truth. Upon close analysis, it becomes evident that he consistently championed equality, with the possible exception of those who had not yet been baptized.
“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:27-29 NKJV)
How, then, can any ordinary individual impose hierarchical structures on God’s children? The Scripture above, affirmed by Paul, acknowledges the equality of all Christians. A believer baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is accountable directly to God, which precludes any external authority over that individual. If Christ Himself was not beholden to earthly authorities, neither were His disciples. Spiritual responsibilities within Christianity are therefore distributed through divine guidance, not human decision-making.
Truthful individuals preserve their autonomy from all, irrespective of status. However, they remain open to recognizing anyone as an instrument of God, provided that person’s message aligns with Christ. Failing to make such distinctions is a failure to adhere to godly principles. Any message from a Christian must be measured against Jesus’ teachings. If it aligns, it is not merely the individual speaking, but Jesus speaking through them. If Christ resides in every Christian, then each one should be seen as embodying Christ. This profound tenet demands thoughtful reflection from all who earnestly desire to follow His teachings. Indeed, Christianity stands apart from worldly comparisons.
“Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:19-22 NKJV)
Some individuals assert they hold authoritative positions in the Church, claiming to have been selected by Christ through personal dreams or visions. However, within Christianity, Jesus Christ alone is the supreme authority. While Christ can certainly communicate with an individual in various ways—as He did with Paul—every claim must still be tested against the foundation He laid. Jesus built His Church on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Himself as the chief cornerstone. Any teaching not built upon this foundation departs from the original doctrines of Christ. True representation requires alignment with the teachings of Jesus as documented in the four Gospels.
A common misconception is that by doing or contributing to God’s work, one becomes entitled to obligate God’s recognition. This leads to a spirit of entitlement when comparing oneself with others. Jesus warned that many would remind Him of their impressive deeds, yet He would profess not to know them (Matthew 7:21-23). To illustrate the standard of true Christianity, He gave a parable that specifically dismantles hierarchical assumptions within the kingdom (Matthew 20:1-16).
The reason Jesus concluded that parable by stating that the first shall be last and the last first is to emphasize the importance of humility. The person who assumes a junior position unintentionally occupies the place of seniority, precisely because no sense of self-importance is found in them. In Christianity, there should never be grounds for boasting about being better than others. Being used by Christ is a privilege that should never be presumed to confer advantage. The safest posture for anyone who takes the call of Christianity seriously is never to assume seniority over anyone else.
Jesus makes no distinction among those He calls to follow Him. This eliminates any basis for claims of superiority or inferiority among believers. All members of God’s Church are treated equally, without regard to rank or tenure. It can be confidently stated that any notion of respect based on seniority implies a misunderstanding of His teachings. A Christian is a new creation, judged not by earthly measures but by the standards of God as taught by Jesus. May the Lord bless those who seek guidance from Him, rather than from worldly influences.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilisation, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, relieving those who have witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions, leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book to be a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
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