Wolves Among Us by Linda Shirey
Ever wanted to find out the troublemakers who target churches, and get them the attention they deserve? Find out who they are, how they like to hide – and expose them to light.
“Wolves Among Us” outlines some ways to understand the motivations and drive of abusers who target churches. I’m hopeful that it will spark some interest in spiritual self-defense and social change, which is badly needed.
Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruit.” Belief is half the battle.
Excerpt from the Book
Repentance is a major difference between a sheep and a wolf, but the signs can be hard to read. Is it a Judas move, melodramatically intoning the obvious (“I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” Matthew 27:4) and then compounding sin by engaging in self-harm? Is it a David move, admitting sin and then naming one of his sons after the confronter (Nathan)? Does the apparently repentant one make any permanent life changes?
Real repentance shows up in action, not just in words. It sounds like Zacchaeus, who gladly donated all of his ill-gotten gains and paid more than the law required (Luke 19). Real repentance is evident in the life of the Apostle Paul, who turned from persecuting to accepting persecution for the sake of Christ, and out of love for the brethren.
Real repentance means a change in focus and direction. After repentance, the thing that used to matter ceases to have any real power or hold over that person. A previous liar will be passionate about the truth. A prior thief will be inspired to share with others (Ephesians 4:28). Former gossips and slanderers will be passionately interested in speech that builds and edifies the hearer.
Wolves may admit in vague or generic terms to “sin” or “bad behavior,” or they may pull out Paul’s passage about “Oh, wretched man that I am” (Romans 7:24), complete with voice quiver. However, there will be a false note to this performance because they like secrecy. Unless the sin has already become known, they make historical admittance seem like heroism. Admittance of current or recent guilt is beyond hard; it’s like pulling teeth while the dental patient tries to bite you. Wolves almost always try to pick their own punishment because they don’t trust anyone else to be truly gracious, i.e., the opposite of themselves.
By contrast, the really repentant will have gone through all these steps:
• Confession: It has a dual purpose—to air the error in public, and to establish a basis point for change.
• Contrition: Repentant sinners are willing to listen to the pain they have caused others in a real way, without making any excuses or justifications. They bring it up as evidence against themselves later on, because it remains a tender point.
• Forgiveness: It is requested, not demanded.
• Oversight: They may recognize their need for others speaking into their lives and ask for accountability partners.
• Boundaries: They will limit themselves voluntarily because they know their own triggers, and they don’t want to fall into the same error that caused so much pain.
• Gratitude: Remorseful people may go straight back to grumbling about consequences; repentant people will usually be glad for the boring old routine of life returning to normal, as it is better than the excitement of their old ways.
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