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.
Les explains that Galatians 5:15 is an admonition against biting and devouring one another, which especially involves bearing false witness. He notes that a person’s character can be destroyed in five minutes. In the political system, all someone has to do is make a derogatory comment by innuendo, and the person is immediately put on the defense; in the eyes of the public he is guilty whether he is or not, guilty until he can prove himself innocent. Paul tells believers this is the same thing they do to each other: every nasty word about a fellow believer by implication puts that believer in the place of defending his character. Paul warns them to be careful because it will eat them alive; if they bite and devour one another, they will be consumed by those they oppose.