(Continued from part 1 and part 2)
Blind Loyalty
BUT, IN ADDITION to ALL this, that day in early April, when I saw the silent dog, the Lord immediately brought to mind some criminal investigations we’d recently heard about. In these cases, the presence of a dog who made no commotion became a significant clue for the investigators, causing them to deduce that the watch dog knew the criminal. The problem of these mute dogs was not fear, but familiarity, even friendship. The dogs’ normal alarm responses were deactivated, resulting in no warning to alert others to danger, because they didn’t perceive a threat. The person was trusted, perhaps loved. Therefore, the perpetrator gained and retained unopposed access to his prey.
As Isaiah said of the ineffective watchmen and shepherds, “they are blind” – not due to a physical impairment, but spiritual and soulish ones. While spiritual blindness and diminished discernment can occur for many reasons, these cases highlight the times it can happen as the result of loving and trusting someone – believing in them and believing them. And what better place to find this than the church, where “blind” love, trust, and unfailing faith in others is often ingrained and overemphasized to the detriment, or even exclusion, of wisdom and discernment.
The enemy knows this imbalance provides a perfect environment for abusers and wolves to thrive – by leveraging believers’ desire to walk in faith and Christ-like love against us. We expect church to be a safe environment, full of spiritual family with godly values and motives. Therefore, our guard is already lower than it might otherwise be. Seizing this advantage, many with ulterior motives have been able to successfully groom the sincere through friendship, familiarity, trust, faith, and love to further deactivate their normal alarm system, making them easy prey.
“Love believes all things,” (I Cor 13:7) was the verse allegedly weaponized against one whistleblower to accuse her that by refusing to believe her leader’s gaslighting and denial, she was violating God’s love. Thankfully, she knew enough to recognize this well known Bible scholar was mishandling Scripture, and wisely responded – “Love doesn’t believe a lie.” This attempt to deceive by manipulating Scripture highlights not only that our desire to love can be used against us, but our desire to be submissive to God and those in authority as well.
Our tendency toward “Truth bias” is far greater with someone we love and believe we can trust. This can be all the more true for someone we respect as an authority, or are tempted to idolize – which has unfortunately occurred with many dynamic leaders. We should remember that Psalm 115:4-8 and 135:16-18 tell us that those who make idols become like them. In context, the Psalmist is saying they become (spiritually) blind, deaf, and mute.
While this spiritual blindness and deafness does at times result in muteness, at other times it creates avid enablers and staunch defenders of the abusers. This may apply to victims before they see the light, but also encompasses the “ride or die” followers, fellow leaders, and more often than not the spouse of the abuser. Their persistent blindness and deafness to the truth, and even co-participation in “DARVO” (Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender) tactics – demonizing victims and defending the abuser – can be astonishing to those who can properly see and hear. Similarly, watchdogs who know and love a criminal will not only fail to recognize and warn others “their person” poses danger, but will fiercely fight anyone who comes to bring “their person” to account. They don’t realize they’re fighting to protect the wrong person; they’re operating in blind loyalty.
From Mute Dogs to Sheep, Serpents, Doves… and Lions
Though pop-Christianity teaches us that in order to love we should always “believe the best” of everyone, this is not the standard of Jesus, who instructed us,
..I am sending you out like sheep in the midst of wolves; be wary and wise as serpents, and be innocent (harmless, guileless, and without falsity) as doves. Be on guard against men [whose way or nature is to act in opposition to God];… (Mt 10:16-17)
While this may sound like He was only warning of the wolves without, we know in other places He warned us (through His teaching and that of the apostles) of wolves within – both natural and supernatural enemies that would infiltrate the church – who would come in His Name as false apostles, prophets, teachers, brethren, angels of light, servants of righteousness, and even imposters of Him.
“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. Matthew 7:15
Take care and be on guard for yourselves and the whole flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you bishops and guardians, to shepherd (tend and feed and guide) the church of the Lord or of God which He obtained for Himself [buying it and saving it for Himself] with His own blood. I know that after I am gone, ferocious wolves will get in among you, not sparing the flock; Even from among your own selves men will come to the front who, by saying perverse (distorted and corrupt) things, will endeavor to draw away the disciples after them [to their own party]. Therefore be always alert and on your guard, being mindful that for three years I never stopped night or day seriously to admonish and advise and exhort you one by one with tears. Acts 20:28-31
As always, Jesus tells us the difficult truths we need to hear rather than just the comforting things we want to hear. These dangers necessitate that sheep learn to adopt some new skills that might not come as naturally for them. So He pointed us to a dramatic dichotomy: the serpent, a Biblical symbol of satan – and the dove, a Biblical symbol of the Holy Spirit.
I believe drawing our attention to the serpent can indicate the importance of knowing our enemy and how he operates. The Greek word translated “wise” (“wise as serpents”) is phronimos , which can also mean “thoughtful, intelligent, prudent, sagacious or discreet.” (BlueLetterBible) In other places, this word is translated, “shrewd.” From the beginning, the serpent has been described as the most shrewd (Hebrew word – ʿārûm – shrewd, prudent, sensible, subtle) of the animals. (Gen 3:1) Shrewd can be defined as, “marked by clever discerning awareness and hardheaded acumen (keenness and depth of perception, discernment, or discrimination, especially in practical matters); acute in perception and sound in judgment;….” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary) In contrast to the blindness we wish to avoid, shrewdness is synonymous with being clear-sighted or clear-eyed.
Snakes are shrewd, thoughtful, intelligent, prudent, and strategic in their abilities to scope out their environment, to discern potential threats and opportunities, and savvy in knowing when and how to act. If our arch opponent, who then embodied and is still symbolized by the serpent, is exceptionally clever, discerning, and intelligent in his strategies against us, how much more must we excel in these qualities as well, lest he “outsmart” or “outwit” us by our being “unaware of his schemes.” (II Cor 2:11)
In a perplexing passage, Jesus indicated that the children of this world (age) are often more shrewd and prudent than the children of light (Lk 16:8). God forbid! May the days be over that the comical point must be made that we’re supposed to be transformed by the renewal of our mind, not the removal of our mind. We cannot overstate our need for wisdom, intelligence, and discernment.
But lest we mistakenly think Jesus is telling us to emulate serpents in other ways associated with evil (sly, crafty, cunning, vicious, venomous, predatory, etc.), He then clarifies that we must also be innocent and harmless as doves. We need intelligence and innocence, shrewdness and gentleness, prudence and purity, brain and heart. We should match, or preferably surpass, our adversary in knowing how to act wisely, intelligently, and shrewdly, yet at the same time remain like Jesus in godly and righteous character. This brings to mind Paul’s similar instruction:
…But I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil. Romans 16:19
The NLT says, “…be wise in doing right and stay innocent of any wrong.”
In order to succeed, we need to know and live the truth that it is God’s Word, precepts, commandments, as well as His Spirit, that will make us wiser than our enemies. (Ps 119:98) By God’s Word and Spirit, Daniel and his friends were empowered to have “ten times” more wisdom (ḥāḵmâ – wisdom, shrewdness, prudence) and understanding (bînâ – understanding, knowledge, discernment) than those operating by the enemy’s occult abilities! Whether “ten times” is to be taken literally, or symbolically (as some believe it was used in ancient Hebrew culture to signify many times or completeness), this impressive advantage over the enemy is something we should intensely desire.
I recently heard JonMark Baker wisely observe and lament that some circles of the charismatic church welcome every gift of the Spirit… except the gift of discernment. While these groups would actually claim to operate in the gift of discerning of spirits (I Cor 12:4-11), at the same time some may speak disparagingly against the kind of discernment every believer is called to operate in to test teachings, practices, gifts, ministers, messages, spirits, and fruit according to God’s Word (Mt 7:15-27; 24:4-5, 23-27, Acts 17:10-11, Rom 16:17-20, I Cor 14:29, Gal 1:6-9, I Tim 4:1-3, 16, I Thess 5:19-22, II Thess 2 , I Jn 2:3-6; 3:4-10; I Jn 4:1-4, Rev 2:2-6, 14-16, 20-23, etc.). Sadly, in some circles, those holding to this Berean-like standard are demonized and falsely labeled through ad hominem attacks for trying to exercise their God-given mandate to test and discern all things. These unScriptural attitudes attempting to shut down Biblical discernment should be a red flag that we’ve entered a wolf-friendly zone.
After all the exposures revealing how many wolves have been prospering among us, it’s time for the church to make discernment great again. In order to see the reformation that’s desperately needed, I believe we need to be not only wise as serpents, and innocent as doves, but also bold and brave as lions. (Prov 28:1) Thank you to those who have been courageously leading the charge. May God help us all.
Final Thoughts, Thanks, and Prayers
While I’m sure this 3-part blog hasn’t provided a comprehensive overview of the psychology of silence in these situations, I hope it’s been food for thought. If you’ve struggled with whether or not to speak, perhaps you see yourself or someone you know in one or more of these categories, or may want to prayerfully consider whether this could be the case.
For those already bravely speaking, thank you! What a tremendous impact you’ve made!
I hope to encourage your earnest prayer for those who’ve been “mute,” even as you continue to also admonish all to stand with you. Each one of these reasons listed (in parts 1-3), whether sincere or selfish, will likely require divine intervention for people to break free. As victims know, there can be a ferocious spiritual battle to overcome “muteness” and find your voice. But this battle is not solely reserved for victims. As someone who’s battled a “mute” spirit several times in my own life, I know it can take an act of God to finally speak again. So as you faithfully and fearlessly intercede and advocate for victims, please also continue to fervently intercede for the mute …. as well as for the unrepentant abusers and those fighting for them. Whatever the root cause in each situation, may God remove all scales and veils from all eyes, ears, hearts, minds – and mouths – and grant repentance and a knowledge of truth that sets free.
May God help all believers and leaders finally understand that sins of OMISSION can be just as injurious as sins of COMMISSION. May He continue to raise up faithful watchmen, good Samaritans, and shepherds after His heart to care for His people. May He continue to awaken, convict, and convert the abusers and their defenders, the “priests and Levites”, all slumbering and forsaking friends, the Matthew 25 goats, and the Isaiah 34 shepherds. May He make us all wise as serpents, innocent as doves, bold as lions, and His true sheep who know and follow His voice alone. May He continue to heal all, spirit, soul, and body, who have been victimized and traumatized through both sins of commission and omission, and restore us all to an accurate view and experience of Him and what He intended His church to be. And may He give us His heart and mind for ALL involved so that our Christ-like love will not grow cold due to increased lawlessness, but that it and we will endure to the end and be saved (Mt 24:11-13).
Special Thanks
Special thanks to the brave advocates, including – Mike Winger, Ron Cantor, Joel Richardson, Julie Roys, Dr. Diane Langberg, Michael Rowntree, Josh Lewis, Michael Miller, JonMark Baker, Jeff Symons, Blaise and Cristina Forêt, Sarah Markman, Shane Winnings, Ray Curry, Stephen Powell, Wanda Alger, Laura Lynn Tyler Thompson, “the Advocate Group” from IHOPKC, and many more. As we’ve all been learning through your experiences, I cover all accounts shared throughout these blogs with “Allegedly, allegedly, allegedly.” 😉
And special thanks to all the tremendously brave victims and whistleblowers whose testimonies have been pivotal in bringing desperately needed awareness, accountability, and prayerfully, ongoing change.
Please forgive me if I’ve failed to mention you by name.
(For those I’ve quoted, I wasn’t always sure which interview/video I had heard things on, after hearing so many. I’d be happy to include your name with your statement if you want to send me that info with a link to the interview the statement came from.)
