How does a derogatory innuendo affect a person in the public eye?

A derogatory innuendo can place a person in the public eye immediately on the defense. In the eyes of the public, he is considered guilty whether he is or not, deemed guilty by implication until he can prove himself innocent.

Les explains that in the political system someone only has to make a derogatory comment by innuendo, and immediately that person is put on the defense. In the eyes of the public, he is guilty whether he is or not; by implication he is now guilty until he can prove himself innocent. Les then applies this to believers: Paul says that when they say something nasty about a fellow believer, they by implication put that person in a place of defending their character. Such biting and devouring will consume them.

What happens in the public eye when someone is accused by innuendo?

When someone is accused by innuendo, the public immediately treats that person as guilty. A mere derogatory implication puts them on the defense, and by implication they are considered guilty until they can prove themselves innocent, regardless of actual guilt.