Imagine a reality where everything you believe is built on a foundation of lies. The information you receive, carefully crafted through manipulation, has led you to unwittingly become a victim of deceit. I was also. No one is immune to it actually.
Such a scenario is unfolding in some corners of the church today.
In this challenging situation, it’s crucial to recognize the signs of manipulation and narcissism. Often, our esteem for the messenger blinds us to the distortion of truth. However, there is a way out, and it’s rooted in the teachings of Jesus.
Amidst the chaos, Jesus guides us to love our enemies and pray for those who deceitfully use and abuse us. Unlike a call for vengeance or the summoning of supernatural entities for war, Jesus embodies a message of grace in the New Testament. The era of war has passed, giving way to an age where compassion and understanding reign supreme.
Consider for a moment the accountability you might face standing before God. Imagine having to justify your agreement with and prayers for the demise of someone, a person you hardly know beyond the narrative spun by another. This introspection challenges us to reevaluate our actions and discern whether we’re aligning ourselves with love and grace or inadvertently contributing to a cycle of manipulation.
In this age of grace, let us strive for discernment, separating truth from manipulation, and embody the teachings of love and forgiveness laid out by Jesus.
So, if you find yourself questioning the authenticity of your beliefs and the environment you’re in, know that there is a community ready to embrace you. Leaving might be a challenging decision, but the freedom to be outside of the realm of confusion and doubts is worth its weight in gold.
RC