Introduction
There are many popular memes today suggesting that when others spread lies about you, the best thing to do is simply leave it alone. The reasoning behind this is that those who believe the lies were too gullible to begin with — and that, over time, the truth will eventually come out.
But is this really how Christians should respond?
Lies Can Affect Your Testimony for Christ
First of all, lies about someone are a form of defamation of character. When your character is attacked, it can damage your witness and testimony — whether directly or indirectly.
Defamation of character is a weapon the enemy often uses against the children of God. It should not always be ignored, especially when it affects your ability to minister, serve, or represent Christ well.
Deal With the Spirit of Lies in Prayer
As Christians, we are called to deal with lies — and the spirit behind them — through prayer and spiritual warfare.
Consider this passage of Scripture:
In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and He heard me. Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue. What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue? Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.
— Psalm 120:1–4
In this psalm, the writer was attacked by lying lips — but he did not simply ignore the situation. Instead, he took the matter before God in prayer, seeking both deliverance and judgment against the lying spirit.
A Personal Testimony: When Lies Were Spread About Me
I myself faced a situation where someone began spreading lies about me — lies that could have had a serious impact on both my career and my ministry as a minister of the Gospel.
The situation was very delicate, as the individual was showing early signs of mental instability that very few people knew about. Because of this, what they were saying appeared believable to others.
I knew I could not attack the individual personally, but I also understood that this was more than a natural situation — this was a spiritual attack. So I brought the matter before God, specifically targeting the spirits of defamation and lying that were influencing the situation.
How I Prayed
In prayer, I presented my case to God — much as one would before a righteous Judge.
- I explained my innocence in the situation.
- I reminded God of what His Word says about lies and false accusations.
- I specifically quoted Psalm 120, asking the Lord to judge the spirits of lying and defamation of character.
I committed to several days of prayer and fasting, repeating this prayer persistently.
Praise God — by the end of that season of prayer, the individual came back to their right mind and publicly confessed that what they had said was not true.
Understanding Spiritual Warfare in This Context
This experience aligns with what I’ve shared in a previous article about how the devil operates as a plaintiff in the court of Heaven, bringing accusations against believers and requesting judgment when we sin.
What many believers don’t realize is that the roles can be reversed. We, too, can enter into the role of plaintiff and bring charges against the enemy.
When I say the enemy, I mean anyone or anything being used by the adversary — whether witches, warlocks, devils, unclean spirits, or even misguided individuals.
Why This Works
The enemy brings reports of our sins to God and requests judgment — often resulting in things like:
- Sickness
- Poverty
- Depression
- Death
- Various forms of spiritual oppression and curses
But remember: God is a righteous Judge. His judgment can also go in favor of His children when they bring matters before Him in line with His Word.
When someone — or an unclean spirit — comes against you unjustly, you can present your case to God and request judgment against that attack. The key is to have the Word of God to back up your petition.
Final Thoughts
So should Christians simply ignore lies spread about them?
The answer is no. While we must maintain love and forgiveness toward the individual, we are also called to stand firm in spiritual warfare when an attack threatens our testimony or calling.
In situations like these, take the matter to God in prayer. Stand on His Word, and trust in His justice. He is both your Defender and Judge.
Have you ever faced a situation where lies were spread about you? How did you handle it?
I’d love to hear your story — feel free to share in the comments below.
If you found this article helpful, please share it with others who may be going through similar situations.