Daniel, Devo

What To Do When People Conspire Against You

What To Do When People Conspire Against You

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ENGLISH
ENGLISH

Then they came near and said before the king, concerning the injunction, "O king! Did you not sign an injunction, that anyone who makes petition to any god or man within thirty days except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?" The king answered and said, "The thing stands fast, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be revoked." Then they answered and said before the king, "Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or the injunction you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day." — Daniel 6:12-13

So here's what these politicians and officials have done. They've established a devious method to entrap Daniel. So they convince king Darius to sign into law an irrevocable mandate that plays to his ego. Then after it's signed, they police only one man — Daniel. After they catch him in the act, they then appeal to the law ignoring all the malicious intent behind their actions. And finally, drop the hammer on king Darius that Daniel is the offender.

But this isn't an episode of Survivor where someone is just voted off the island. This is a full-blown conspiracy against a single man planned with the intent to kill him. This is insidious.

Yet this happens all the time. It's happening right now in our country, whether we know it or not. And I know it's happening not because I am a conspiracy theorist but because I know men are sinful and will contrive devious plans against other people out of envy. Remember, Daniel's occurrence is not the only time this happens in the bible. It happened to Paul in every town where he preached the gospel. And it happened to Jesus when men from his own race and religion conspired to kill him.

Gentlemen, every godly man is going to meet with opposition. But at some point, the opposition will come in the form of a vicious conspiracy. This is a very unsettling moment for a man, especially when he knows he has acted godly. In my lifetime, I have witnessed conspiracies against men at play in businesses, marriages, governments, families, and even churches. But know this, godly men, they don't quit. They remain resolute. And they keep making their petition like Daniel — "three times a day," and he's not about to quit.

If you are living through a conspiracy right now, do me a favor, don't quit. Be faithful. God might be perched to do something miraculous through you.

ASK THIS: What conspiracy are you living through, and how do you need to be faithful today?

DO THIS: Be faithful again today.

PRAY THIS: God, you are my Lord. May my desires and actions represent you.

PLAY THIS: Soul Survivor.

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11 thoughts on “What To Do When People Conspire Against You”

  1. SG says:

    I went through conspiracy for the greater part of a decade. It was a very painful amd frustrating experience. It was daily during that time. There would be meetings, text messages and emails about plans to destroy me. It rocked me to my core. I developed deep-rooted bitterness as a result and began living a double life. I served in church more as an escape, but went home so very bitter. Finally, major life changes happened, I put
    myself through counseling and discipleship so that I could change. Slowly God worked on my heart and renewed my mind. Eventually I was able to pray for those who conspired against me, I asked God to forgive them for what they did to me and my bitterness towards them. I started praying for their healing and salvation. it was a painful journey and I’m still recovering from it. However one thing I can say, the Lord never left me (even though it felt like He did at times). He provided for me throughout and put godly accountability in my life. If you’re going through a conspiracy now, know that God has promised never to leave you. He never promised that there would be no pain, but he did promise not to forsake you. As tough as it may be, remain consistent in earnest prayer. FAST during this time! Seek godly counsel and get a trustworthy accountability partner to help you commit to change. With the Lord by your side, you can’t fail!

  2. Steve McDaniel says:

    This is one of the most difficult storms to walk through, especially when it happens in the church. The one place where you should feel secure enough to trust people. But I am walking through this exact scenario.
    I helped found and was on the board of a church for 14 years. Last year some women got offended at my wife and it snowballed into them and their husbands getting into the pastors wife’s ear and convincing her that we were “evil” and a threat. In turn, the pastor chose to blindly believe the people and his wife and we were left no choice but to walk away. Which we chose to do keeping our mouth shut. Incredibly tough and confusing season to see the spiritual authority you have served for over a decade handle something so badly.

    • Jack says:

      Father, I pray that you will lead Steve and his wife to a church that use their talents. Give them peace about their situation and don’t let disappointment turn to bitterness.

      • Steve says:

        Thank you. I can say that keeping our mouths shut in the face of false accusations was grueling, but I stood on the belief God was our defender. It has been a daily decision to walk in forgiveness. My motto..
        Decisions Determine Destiny

    • Gary says:

      Great way to handle the situation. I am sure the Lord is well pleased. It reminds me of Paul when speaking to the Corinthians in a similar scenario:

      2 Corinthians 10
      King James Version

      2 But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.

      3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

      4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

  3. Marko says:

    I put you on my daily prayer list today Vince that you will continue to speak His truth fully, completely and without reserve to lead us home! Thank you for speaking the truth and putting it in our present context so we can see how God can lead us through the lies and apostacy that exists around us in our country and our world and show us Jesus has a plan for our lives to stand up and follow Him.

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