Defamation for Dominance

Matthew 21:23

"Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?”

The Trap in the Question

Imagine standing in the Temple courts—the very heart of Jewish worship and national pride. The place where generations came to meet with God, where priests offered sacrifice, where scrolls of truth were unrolled with trembling hands. Now imagine, amid this holy ground, a Galilean rabbi—untrained, unlicensed by their religious establishment—boldly teaching, healing, flipping over tables of corruption, and declaring Himself the fulfillment of all that Temple pointed to.

And now, watch it happen.

A group of elite, robed religious leaders press through the crowd, faces flushed with rage masked behind piety. They interrupt Him—not to learn, but to trap. With words dipped in venom, they ask:

“By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” (Matthew 21:23)

It wasn’t an honest question. It was defamation disguised as dialogue.
This wasn’t curiosity. It was character assassination.
They didn’t seek truth. They sought control.

They defamed the Son of God because they feared losing their dominance.

And church, they’re not the last ones to do it.

THE SPIRIT OF DEFAMATION – FROM EDEN TO THE TEMPLE

Let’s rewind. This story doesn’t begin in Matthew. It starts in Genesis.

When Satan whispered to Eve in the garden, “Did God really say…?” he wasn’t asking. He was accusing. Twisting God’s Word to destroy His character. Why? Because Satan didn’t just want Eve’s attention—he wanted God’s throne. Defamation has always been the devil’s weapon to seize what doesn’t belong to him.

And it continues.

In Egypt, Pharaoh defamed the Hebrews—called them lazy, dangerous, multiplying too quickly. Why? He feared their growing strength. So he enslaved them.

In Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar defamed the exiles—changed their names, tried to erase their God. Why? Because their identity threatened his empire.

In the days of the early Church, Rome defamed Christians—called them cannibals, rebels, arsonists. Why? Because they bowed to a higher authority than Caesar.

Everywhere you look in Scripture and Church history, defamation is the weapon of the threatened.

It is always the tool of those who sense they are losing control—political, religious, or social—and in their panic, they attack character when they cannot challenge truth.

This is what Jesus faced.

JESUS UNDER ATTACK – HOLY AUTHORITY VS. HUMAN CONTROL

Let’s go back to that moment in Matthew 21. Jesus had just cleansed the Temple—turned over tables, chased out merchants, and declared it a “house of prayer.” And now the chief priests and elders approach—not to repent, but to reassert their dominance.

“By what authority are you doing these things?”

Do you see it?

They didn’t say “how did you do this?”
They didn’t ask “why did you do this?”
They said, “Who gave you permission?”

They weren’t concerned about truth. They were terrified of losing power.

Their influence was tied to the Temple. Their pride was built on tradition. And now this unorthodox carpenter from Nazareth was dismantling both.

So they did what religious elites and rulers have done for centuries—they attacked His authority.
Because when men can’t deny your fruit, they’ll try to discredit your roots.

And this wasn’t just a political maneuver—it was demonic. This was the same serpent from Eden now speaking through robed men in Jerusalem.

But Jesus, full of divine wisdom, doesn’t answer their trap directly. Instead, He answers with a question of His own:

“The baptism of John—was it from heaven or from man?” (v. 25)

Why that question? Because if they admitted John was from heaven, then they’d have to accept Jesus. But if they denied John publicly, the crowd—who revered John as a prophet—would revolt.

So they answered… “We don’t know.”

And Jesus, seeing through their façade, replied:

“Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

They weren’t ready for the truth because their hearts were ruled by fear, not faith.

HISTORICAL WITNESS – THE PATTERN OF POWER STRUGGLE

Let me tell you about a German monk in the 1500s—Martin Luther.

When Luther nailed his 95 theses to the Wittenberg door, he wasn’t trying to overthrow the Church. He was calling it back to Scripture. But the Church of the day had grown powerful, corrupt, and wealthy—selling indulgences, manipulating consciences. And when confronted, they didn’t debate the truth.

They defamed the man.

He was excommunicated, labeled a heretic, and summoned to recant at the Diet of Worms. And when asked to deny his convictions, Luther famously replied:

“Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason... my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything…”

Why did they try to silence him?
Not because he was wrong.
But because he threatened the dominance of a system that had strayed from Christ.

Truth will always threaten counterfeit thrones.

So if you speak it, live it, or embody it, expect defamation.

THE CHURCH TODAY – WHEN YOU STAND, YOU’LL BE SLANDERED

Let’s not pretend this is ancient history.

There is a kind of defamation today—yes, even within the visible Church—that still rises when the truth is preached with clarity, when authority is exercised without fear, and when holiness is restored in the house of God.

If you stand for biblical marriage—you might be called judgmental.
If you call for repentance—you might be labeled divisive.
If you submit to God’s Word rather than man’s traditions—you may be accused of rebellion.

But beloved, let me warn you: if you fear defamation, you will never walk in true authority.

Jesus didn’t need their approval to operate in power. He was sent by the Father. He knew who He was and Whose He was.

Do you?

Because the fear of man will neuter your authority and silence your calling.
But when you fear God more than you fear slander, you walk like Jesus.

STANDING IN GOD’S AUTHORITY

So what must we do in a world where defamation is used to dominate?

1. Be anchored in the Word.

Jesus didn’t argue opinions. He stood on truth. You need to know the Word so deeply that slander can’t shake you.

2. Expect resistance when you walk in authority.

If Jesus was questioned, if the apostles were accused, if the reformers were slandered—why should we expect applause?

3. Guard your heart against bitterness.

Defamation hurts—but don’t let it harden you. Jesus, even as they lied about Him, still loved them enough to die for them.

4. Walk humbly, but boldly.

Authority from God is never arrogant, but it is fearless. Walk like you’ve been sent—because you have.

THE HOPE IN HIS AUTHORITY – THE CROSS & THE EMPTY TOMB

Here’s the twist in the story. All their defamation didn’t stop Him.
They called Him a blasphemer.
They accused Him of being demon-possessed.
They said He was deceiving the people.
They mocked, beat, and crucified Him.

And yet—on the third day, He rose.

Because His authority wasn’t borrowed—it was eternal.
His power didn’t come from the temple—it built the temple.
His name wasn’t given by man—it was the Name above every name.

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.” (Matthew 28:18)

Defamation didn’t dethrone Him—it fulfilled the plan of God.

And it will for you too.

DON’T TRADE YOUR CALLING FOR COMFORT

Let me speak to the heart of someone right now—you’ve been afraid to stand in what God has called you to. Not because you doubt God, but because you fear what people might say. You’ve stayed silent because you feared rejection. You’ve held back because you’ve been defamed before and you never want to feel that sting again.

But hear me:

Jesus was defamed, and He kept preaching.
The apostles were defamed, and they kept healing.
The reformers were defamed, and they kept writing.
The martyrs were defamed, and they kept praising.

And now—it’s your turn.

PRAYER

Let’s pray.

Father, in the Name of Jesus, we come before You—not seeking man’s approval, but Your power.

Forgive us, Lord, for every time we’ve cowered under criticism, silenced by slander, or compromised truth for comfort.

Give us courage like Christ, who faced the wolves and did not flinch. Give us conviction like Paul, who said, “I am not ashamed of the gospel.” Give us clarity like Luther, who stood before kings and said, “Here I stand, I can do no other.”

Lord, may we be a generation that fears no accusation and bends to no earthly crown.

We stand in Your authority.
We walk in Your truth.
We live for Your glory.

In the mighty, matchless, undefeated Name of Jesus—Amen.

FINAL CHALLENGE

Church—don’t let defamation deter you.

Let it remind you that you’re walking in the footsteps of the Savior.

Let it motivate you to cling tighter to the Word.

Let it fuel your boldness to speak truth in love, regardless of who it offends.

The world is not changed by those who seek comfort—but by those who carry crosses.

So ask yourself:

Will I shrink to preserve my reputation,
or will I rise to proclaim His Name?

Because when you walk in divine authority, no slander can stop the move of God.

Now go—stand, speak, and don’t look back.