Ezra 4:6 says that in their attempt to shut down the rebuilding of the Temple, the enemies of Israel “wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem” and slandered them to King Ahasuerus. Zerubbabel and Jeshua were attempting to do the Lord’s work, and these enemies tried to hinder that work through their accusations. But in Ezra’s day and in ours, those who unjustly accuse God’s servants participate in a diabolical work.

Revelation 12:10 describes Satan as “the accuser of our brethren.” Not only does he himself accuse God’s people, but he also uses whoever he can recruit to join him in his slanderous work.

Does this mean that there is never a time to challenge those involved in error? Absolutely not! In fact it is our responsibility to do so, in cases of serious moral and ethical lapses, and theological heresy. But we need to tread such ground with the utmost caution, lest we unwittingly become co-laborers with the evil one by participating in false accusations against God’s people. May it never be that we would found doing the devil’s work, by unjustly accusing the servants of God.