How to Identify an Abuser of Authority
(2 Cor 11:12-20)
"I would die before taking your money. I’m giving nobody grounds for lumping me in with those money grubbing preachers vaunting themselves as something special. They’re a sorry bunch - pseudo apostles, lying preachers, crooked workers - posing as Christ’s agents but shame to the core. And no wonder! Satan does it all the time, dressing up as a beautiful angel of light. So it shouldn’t surprise us when his servants masquerade as servants of God. But they’re not getting by with anything. They will pay for it in the end." Since you admire the egomaniacs of the pulpit so much, remember, this is your old friend. Are they servants of Christ."
Erwin Lutzer wrote an excellent book in 2002 entitled, "Who Are you to Judge" In this insightful volume he teaches us how to avoid judging as the Pharisees but to use godly discernment. Some of the following points are credited to Dr. Lutzer writings.
Let us identify twenty of the characteristics of abusers of the truth, their positions of authority and their opportunities:
1. Paul taught that the hallmark of his authority came through the Lord Jesus. He proved this by being willing to suffer persecution, misunderstanding and put-downs for the sake of identifying with Christ. The super-apostles wanted acclaim, recognition and applause from people. Abusers love to call people under their authority instead of the control of the Lord Jesus Christ, His Word and His Holy Spirit.
2. The super-apostles flaunted their outward appearance but Paul gloried in his weakness, infirmities and even his non-impressive speaking abilities. He counted on God’s grace to be sufficient so that Christ’s power could be shown strong through Paul’s weaknesses. It was reported that Paul was bald and bow-legged and not highly regarded as a public speaker even though his letters were weighty.
3. Prideful people want to be the center of attention. Often they will insist that they are God’s man called for a special purpose. They believe they are entitled to special privileges, powers and positions. When they do not get the recognition, respect and submission from people they start to attack and discredit others.
4. Ego-centric people call other people to submit themselves to their authority. They insist that they are God’s messengers entitling them to the service of others who are benefitting from their teaching. Often they will quote I Pet 5:5,6 out of context, "Likewise you who are spiritually younger, submit yourselves to your spiritual elders and be clothed with humility."
5. Abusers of authority often refuse to be under any other human authority except their own. They believe that they receive their instructions, authority and power only from God. Therefore, they are essentially above taking advice, directives or input from any human source. They chafe when they are called to assessment, evaluation and accountability - especially when it comes to the basis of their power and influence.
6. Jesus warned us to watch out for false prophets who are like wolves with sheep’s clothing. Abusers of authority are good at masquerading as something that they are not. They crave cultic like powers and influence over people for their own ego gratification.
7. When they are questioned they will often attack their questioners. "Who are you to question the Lord’s annointed they will say." They evidence an obsessive-compulsive disorder in the way they crave leadership positions. They have a hard time deferring to others for leadership, direction or godly counsel.
8. The abusers of authority follow a version of Christ who is incomplete or distorted by their own self-delusional perceptions. They see Christ as one who had all authority and power to be given to them. Somehow they overlook the fact that Jesus came to wash the disciples feet and humble Himself as a man by becoming a servant to all. "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45)
9. The abusers insist that if people are not being blessed it is their fault for not exercising proper faith and obedience. This consistent blaming of other people is a pattern of their leadership. By throwing the blame on to people, situations or Satan, the ego-centric leaders refuse to admit the need to change, grow or submit themselves to any accountability.
10. The abusers want compliant followers so they can depend upon their support, loyalty and help in times of need. Often times they are good fund-raisers as they evidence a charismatic-dynamic persona. They crave followers who are dependent and trust them implicidly.
11. Abusers are often cleverly insidious, crafty and conniving by working their way in to the trust of unsuspecting people’s hearts. They are convincing in their manner by secretly manipulating people for their own selfish purposes.
12. Abusers tend to pick people who are subservient, co-dependent and willing to follow them without question. Consequently, the attract people who are frail and easily coerced by their forceful personalities. Eventually their followers will feel betrayed and deeply hurt.
13. Abusers will often parade, flaunt and spotlight their accomplishments but down play their shortcomings. Generally, these manipulators will insist that their blessings are evidence of God’s anointing on their life saying things like, "If you are not experiencing fruit, healing and miracles it is a sign you are not as spiritual as someone like myself."
14. Peter warned about erroneous leaders in 2 Pet 3:17, 18 when he wrote, "I am warning you ahead of time dear friends, so that you can watch out and not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people (Those who are use boastful words and entice people who are just escaping from those who are living in error). I don’t want you to lose your own secure footing. But grow in the special favor and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and honor both now and forevermore."
15. Instead of submitting to the Sovereign control of God they are controlled by their own sinful ego as they love to be self-protected, self-gratified and self-glorified as they want to be more pre-eminent than the Lord Jesus who they profess to serve.
16. Rather, the abusers should realize that they need to fear God and keep His commandments. People of integrity do not make themselves better than they are in order to impress others.
17. Abusers will refuse to admit that God can use injustices, set-backs and hardships just as well as happy times to teach His lessons.
18. Abusers have a hard time taking criticism, slander or accusations as they take things personally instead of taking their burdens to the Lord. They are not very good at carrying their own cross and identifying with the abuse that Jesus took by the Pharisees of the day.
19. Abusers always feel the need to respond to their critics instead of just deflect the slander with the shield of faith. They have a compulsion to justify themselves in order to maintain their reputation in the world.
20. Abusers fail to observe Psa 15:1-5 that says, "Who may abide in Your tabernacle. Who may dwell in Your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness and speaks the truth in his heart. He who does not backbite with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor does he take up a reproach against a friend. IN whose eyes a vile person is despised, but he honors those who fear the Lord, he who swears to his own hurt and does not change. He who does not put out his money at usury (taking advantage of other people’s hardtimes) nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be moved."
Let us ask the Lord to help us exhibit righteous discernment and overcome evil with good. Allow the Lord to mete out His humbling and vengeance in the proper time and not taking it in to our own hands. (Rom 12:21)
