One science study I read about proved that people aren't very good about detecting lies when told about other people. People weren't designed to lie and tend to believe whatever they hear first. Accusers count on this.
Accusations bring contempt and judgement, which leads to mistreatment when people don't seek to be just and loving. Its the Devil's favorite tool. This message shifts the blame to the victim, who may or may deserve any of it.
Proving you are worthy of respect would be cool if it actually worked, but as someone who has tried to live that way, I know that this plan would only work if people gave you a FAIR chance and you were able to show them good things BEFORE the slander campaign kicked in. Even then, enough social pressure can cause you to lose what emotional support you earned. Many people don't care about the truth, just react to who is popular and who isn't. The unpopular can't do much for them.
Its hard to prove your worthiness if people listen to the slanderer first, especially if the slanderer SEEMS to be popular/respectable/influential. People always look at you judgmentally if they hear ugly stuff first. The listeners feel like they are better than you because THEY aren't being run down like you are right now. The 'safe' herd often figures they don't need to risk giving you any grace & space to show them that you are different from the bad stuff they heard. You don't have to deserve any of it for life to be this way. Entire GROUPS of people have had accusations heaped upon whatever ethnicity, faith, etc. they were in. Hate doesn't have to be personal.
Most people don't think too hard about what they heard. Those who do have often been victimized too.
Actually people still believe slander even about the perfect one, Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ has been slandered a lot, on Earth, and in Heaven - since his ascension. Jesus is perfect, and was still maligned. We can expect trials that come from lies about us too. We cannot hope to make the Accuser of the Brethren (Satan) back off because 'no one will believe ugly lies about me.' Do your best to not deserve it, but the Bible says:
1 John 3:12-14…
12 "Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did Cain slay him? Because his own deeds were evil, while those of his brother were righteous. 13 So do not be surprised, brothers, if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death.… "
John 15:17-18
Jesus says: 17 This is My command to you: Love one another. 18 If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. 19 If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.…
12 "Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did Cain slay him? Because his own deeds were evil, while those of his brother were righteous. 13 So do not be surprised, brothers, if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death.… "
John 15:17-18
Jesus says: 17 This is My command to you: Love one another. 18 If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. 19 If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.…
1 Peter 12:12-19
12
"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”[a] 19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good."
"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”[a] 19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good."
