Psalm 64

“Hear my voice, O God, in my meditation; preserve my life from fear of the enemy. Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked, from the rebellion of the workers of iniquity, who sharpen their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows—bitter words, that they may shoot in secret at the blameless; suddenly they shoot at him and do not fear. They encourage themselves in an evil matter; they talk of laying snares secretly; they say, ‘Who will see them?’ They devise iniquities: ‘We have perfected a shrewd scheme.’ Both the inward thought and the heart of man are deep.” Psalm 64:1-6 (NKJV)

Ah, the secret plots of the wicked.  Most of us can relate to how it feels to discover that people are secretly spreading negative rumors about us.  Often, the source of backbiting is someone close to us: a friend, coworker, or family member.  So, it hurts even more.  I say it often, but we must be ever mindful that the definition of "Envy" is simply "Pride wounded in competition."  Whenever someone is trying to secretly destroy your character, it is likely because they feel threatened by you.  Whether you perceive it or not, there is a level of competition present, and the backbiter feels they are in danger of losing.  Hence, they try to skirt the rules of Christian unity and seize control through falsehood.  While your character may be irreparably damaged in the eyes of some people, rest assured that God sees both the oppressed and oppressor and He judges righteously in His fair time.

“Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.” Luke 12:3 (NKJV)

Regardless of what people may say about you, the best defense is a Godly character.

“Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:1-2 (NKJV)

Ultimately, our vengeance comes from God.  (Romans 12:9)

“But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly they shall be wounded. So He will make them stumble over their own tongue; all who see them shall flee away. All men shall fear and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider His doing. The righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and trust in Him. And all the upright in heart shall glory.” Psalm 64:7-10 (NKJV)