This is about as clear of a description of an abuser and his tactics as you can find —
Proverbs 6:16-19, There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him:
- haughty eyes,
- a lying tongue,
- and hands that shed innocent blood
- a heart that devises wicked plans,
- feet that make haste to run to evil,
- a false witness who breathes out lies, and
- one who sows discord among brothers.
I bet many of our readers will recognize each one of these seven evils. And here is still another picture from Proverbs –
Proverbs 16:27-30, A worthless man
- plots evil,
- and his speech is like a scorching fire.
- A dishonest man spreads strife,
- and a whisperer separates close friends.
- A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good.
- Whoever winks his eyes plans dishonest things;
- he who purses his lips brings evil to pass.
You see, God has told us many times that such people exist. Why don’t we seem to believe Him? Notice the recurring theme of deception in these descriptions.
***
UPDATE Sept 2021: I have come to believe that Jeff Crippen does not practise what he preaches. He vilely persecuted an abuse victim and spiritually abused many other people in the Tillamook congregation. Go here to read the evidence. Jeff has not gone to the people that he spiritually and emotionally abused. He has not apologised to them, let alone asked for their forgiveness.
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Nicely stated, Jeff!
And why do we accept such a person as a believer, based solely on their own testimony, when their actions say otherwise?
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Joe – We are too fearful, cowardly? Do we understand that if we admit he is not a Christian that then we have God-given responsibilities to carry out? It seems as if we want to choose the broadway rather than the narrow way, because it is a whole lot easier going and we have a bunch more company there?
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You’re probably right, Jeff. It’s easier to simply avoid the conflict.
It sure is easy to hide the cowardice behind giving people the benefit of the doubt, though, isn’t it? It is so easy to want to believe the best in someone…especially when they are more skilled in deception than we are in discernment.
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Last week I read these verse from Psalm 52:1-9, which made me think of my ex-husband’s abuse toward me and our children and how God delivered us:
“Why do you boast about your crimes? Don’t you realize God’s justice continues forever? Your tongue cuts like a sharp razor
You’re an expert at telling lies
You love evil more than good and lies more than truth.
You love to destroy others with your words, you liar!
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But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God. I will always trust in God’s unfailing love. I will praise you forever O God for what you have done. I will trust in your good name in the presence of your faithful people”
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Another “right on” Scripture. Thank you! Somehow we must deny in our minds as we read Scripture like this that no one around us – and certainly no one in our church – could possibly fit that description! And that is the danger. Because the person is an expert at telling lies and loves to destroy with his words, that should warn us clearly of the deceptive nature of such a person.
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Amen!
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