The Wheat and Tares are Ripening...

 The Wheat and the Tares are Ripening...

Mary Ann Wray

Hearing reports by scores of victims within the last year who have demonstrated great courage and boldness to finally speak up has reached a fevered pitch. Their outcry is now joined in chorus with other followers of Christ, against immoral leadership coming under harsh and deserved scrutiny. Indictments are finally being executed.

Christians should have zero tolerance for alleged, sexual, financial and moral misconduct of any spiritual leader. But why do we see many who still tolerate such sinful alleged behavior in the pulpit? Why do many refuse to question their behavior and demonize those who are demanding a revolution of righteousness in the pulpit and the church? It makes one wonder where one's true allegiance lies.

If and when these alleged malpractitioners have been truly cleared and exonerated from all guilt that is something different. But to date, no one that has been exposed over the past year that I know of, has been cleared of any allegations or charges of misconduct nor have they made any effort to reach out to the victims of abuse. Instead, they cover their tracks and sycophants prophesy that victims and whistle blowers are guilty of slander, gossip and lies.

None to my knowledge, have made any restitution towards those that have been victimized other than 'settling' out of court. All this does is further silence the victims and give way to more abusive behavior from the perpetrators. At the same time, it doesn't free them of any guilt. God will not be mocked. Whether more victims speak out or not, Jesus will continue to flip the tables of these money changers until His house is clean. Their "sacrifices" are in vain.

They refuse any third-party, non-partial investigations. Some still remain in pulpits or on television when they should’ve sat down a long time ago. That says something in and of itself. They use their 501(c)(3) status as a “shield” to protect themselves from examination and being accountable to the public. They claim, they are “anointed” or are the very voice of God and should not be questioned. They will quote spiritual platitudes like "The gifts and callings of God are without repentance and Touch not mine anointed." In their minds, these cliche's exempt them from judgement just like not having to pay taxes. These  ministries are run more like businesses than charitable organizations. Sadly, their non-profit status has made them non-charitable.

Some have said they are "sorry" and have gotten “counsel” yet haven’t made any restitution for their wrongdoings other than quoting more spiritual platitudes. We know from scripture that there is a worldly sorrow and a godly sorrow. Getting caught and saying "sorry" is not the same as true repentance. To repent is reflected in attitude and action. A repentant a person is willing to forego any earthly comfort or favors in order to be in right standing with God and with those they have offended. Repentance will accept the consequences in humility, looking to God for complete restoration in body, soul and spirit.  To truly repent is a wonderful gift from God, but a leader is still Biblically disqualified from being reinstated into spiritual leadership. David was restored to God, but was denied the privilege of building God's house.

These people honestly appear to be more concerned with preserving the kingdoms "they" have worked so hard to build while struggling to maintain a pristine reputations. Sorry folks. It's too late. Golden calves will eventually be melted down and ground to dust. It's best to be rid of them now. 

Naïveté and/ or denial among church members and supporters continues to be problematic. False honor and respect is a rampant problem in many churches today that keep disqualified men and women who abuse their power in their "positions of prominence". It has become a form of man worship and idolatry.  The  charisma craze and cult of celebrity along with their purported spiritual gifts has bewitched far too many people. 

Donations and pep talks that engender a sense of empowerment while exchanging trinkets with promises of blessings for "seed offerings" continues to adorn and decorate mantles in somewhat spiritually bankrupt homes. All this does is support the very behavior that God is bringing into judgment and contribute to a lack of Biblical Discernment. Without realizing it, many people are kicking against the gourds and offering vain resistance to what the Holy Spirit is wanting to do and cleanse out of His House. 

If God's people would honestly seek the Lord and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth to them about any rumored or suspected behavior of their/ these spiritual leader(s), a lot the corruption and nonsense would stop. God is not a man that would lie about such things or anything for that matter. However, it appears that many people love lies more than the truth. We are in an age of great deception in the church and in the world too. How can we affect the World with the Gospel when we don't even understand that the Gospel is not a free ticket to sin, but a way to escape its penalty?  To ignore the symptoms of malpractice through the cries of victims and alarmed sheep is without excuse. It's time to wake and wise up.

The requirements for spiritual leadership are very strict and demanding. The church has suffered the consequences by dumbing down God's guidelines. We have stretched their definitions to fit modern terminology or ignored them in the name of cultural relevance, grace and love.  While restoration to communion with the Lord is available to anyone who falls into sin, restoration into spiritual leadership is restricted in order to protect the flock of God and set an example to others.  See 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1, 1 Peter 5. 

Those who maintain positions of leadership have brought public shame, pain and suffering to God’s people in varying degrees.  The body of Christ has been humiliated through embarrassing and unspeakable allegations and the Holy name of Christ has been besmirched in the name of tolerance. Therefore, alleged perpetrators should not be supported in leadership by any God fearing person no matter how knowledgeable they are or how much influence they’ve had in the past.

I will give to a homeless person on the street before I give one cent to any of them. I have zero trust in any of them (Psalm 118). We can’t ignore the signs and symptoms of spiritual malpractice any longer and should boycott those who have come under harsh criticism. When the funds dry up, you will see how quickly their glory will fade.

Please continue to pray for justice for victims and God’s cleansing of the temple from the moneychangers and derelict Eli’s of today. Pray that the wool will be clipped from the eyes of many well meaning sheep who are living with wolves constantly sheering them for support in one way or another.