In the Face of Accusation, Face the King: How God Stands in Our Defense

“Edmund was on the other side of Aslan, looking all the time at Aslan’s face. He felt a choking feeling and wondered if he ought to say something; but a moment later he felt that he was not expected to do anything except to wait, and do what he was told.” – C. S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

This week I decided to re-read one of my favorite series: The Chronicles of Narnia. While reading The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, I noticed a powerful paragraph for the first time.

This is the iconic scene where the witch, Jadis, comes before Aslan to stake her claim on Edmund after he’s betrayed his siblings and all of Narnia. Jadis was within her right to ask for Edmund, as he was a traitor. She stands there, accusing Edmund of his failures and mistakes, his grievances and sins, and Edmund knows deep down that her words are true. He did betray his siblings, Narnia, and Aslan. He felt deep conviction for his actions. And yet, all he did was look at Aslan’s face. The witch and Lion speak, but Edmund doesn’t even spare the witch a glance. He remains solely focused on Aslan.

The Powerless Accuser

As I read this story, I was reminded that the accuser has lost its power over us. His claims may be true, but the blood of Jesus runs deeper and speaks louder. The accusations have lost their power, because the debt we had incurred has been paid in full. And this leaves the accuser of our souls with nothing left but empty words.

I’m reminded of this quote by Martin Luther:

“So when the devil throws your sins in your face and declares that you deserve death and hell, tell him this: ‘I admit that I deserve death and hell, what of it? For I know One who suffered and made satisfaction on my behalf. His name is Jesus Christ, Son of God and where He is there I shall be also!'”

The enemy has lost all power over us, and once we’ve repented and come back to our King, there is nothing that can be said any longer that can be used against us. What, then, is our role when the accuser speaks?

Learning from Edmund’s Response

I think Edmund had the right of it—he remained silent and waited, and did as he was told. Life would be quite different, I believe, if we learned to remain silent, wait, and do as God tells us. But here is the key: Edmund accepted the forgiveness Aslan had given him and when the witch accused him of his failures before everyone, he let Aslan stand in his defense.

That is the beauty of being a son or daughter of God. We come home to Him, we are forgiven and accepted, and then we simply obey God as He stands in our defense. In fact, it isn’t always necessary to spend time defending ourselves, because like I mentioned before, Jesus’s blood speaks a better and louder word. (“…to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word…” Hebrews 12:24a)

And yet, Luther takes a different approach in his quote. There could be moments when we speak up and remind the enemy of his defeated place. But what if this strategy is more for our own benefit than for the enemy’s? What if we need to speak out loud the truth of God’s redemptive work to remind ourselves that the accuser is powerless against us?

I believe both approaches are effective in different circumstances, but the essence remains. In the face of accusation, we are to be like Edmund and live with our eyes locked on Jesus’ face.

The Power of Fixing Our Eyes on Him

There is something to be gained by living our lives with our eyes locked on Him. Everything else seems smaller and less ominous. Problems shrink and conflict seems trivial. What would our lives look like if we spent them locked in on His face?

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Hebrews 12:1-2, NIV

An Encouraging Reminder

All this to say: Be encouraged! The enemy has lost its hold on you, and no matter how he knocks on your door, attempts to batter your gates with accusations and tries to make your focus waver, he is a defeated foe whose only power lies in making us believe empty words. The only words that carry any weight over your life now are God’s words. He alone determines who you are, and He alone gets a say as to your past, present and future. Let His words define you, shape you and call you higher.

When the enemy tries to remind you of your past, when people criticize you or accuse you without cause, do what Edmund did: Pay no attention to the witch, set your eyes on the face of the King, and remain quiet, wait, and obey whatever God tells you to do in the moment.

In the face of accusation, Face the King!

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” – Colossians 3:1-2, NIV

Live, like this song, with your “Eyes locked on the King“.

Until next time,
Anna

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Photo by Tim Alex on Unsplash