Surviving the Attack
Victims of Professional Liars
A brief and Surface sharing,
The experience of trauma at the hands of malicious vessels is not uncommon, whether in the workplace, family, community, various relationships, or religious gatherings. It is a tragic reality many must go through in this life—most times at our vulnerability, weaknesses, or blind spots.
Looking the other way, when all those "red flags" kept appearing, it came with a profound consequence: loss of family, friendship, work, and inner peace. But it was not in vain; having healed with the ability to look at the bigger picture, God saved us from those who never really loved or cared for us, whose agenda was not innocent but corrupt and toxic.
His Majesty's mercy made us stronger and more productive than ever imagined, with a new and flourishing service.
Malignant narcissists (as per the "mind-science" dialect) with a decade-long resume of fraudulent behaviour had us firmly believing we were clinically insane, toxic, abusive, and the reason why the church would never grow. And because we loved and trusted them, being "scholars and therapists," we went along with their cunning manipulation, we were taken advantage of by sinister "hook, line, and sinker." We became sick, withdrawing ourselves, distancing ourselves, isolating ourselves, until finally, they told us we could no longer serve the church. From once an equal Plato, they finally had the complete measurement of prominence they coveted, satisfying their greed, jealousy, discord, divisive confrontation, argumentative pleasure, and bittered control.
Once forced to withdraw from the contaminated area, confused and lost, the evil workers knew the truth could not get back to them on what they had done, yet again, to the accumulating victim pallet. Hence, they immediately began to whisper a scheming lie about the integrity of our character and work, bearing false witness and slandering, making us out to be dishonest and thieving monsters while somehow never permitting the account to be revealed publicly before those they sought to devour.
It took us a long time, once removed from the poison, to recognize what had happened to us and all the intricate details of how such a thing could even take place among "Christians." Once again, we must trust our minds and have independent accountability for our faith. Also, seeing how brethren could side with evil and never seek to hear a report from the falsely accused was devastating. My wife, parents, and several others saw the signs, but I was too busy being loyal to these remorseless Devils, now to my regret.
However, years have passed since that experience, and we've healed and learned to discern many insights. We are thankful for a flourishing work filled with hope and peace in Christ. Dozens upon dozens of others have come forward since expressing the same experience (in different measures) at the hands of the same culprits. Though having justified defense to make our detailed report a public matter on social media and in public courts, we kept all the information private (perhaps until the providential winds bring forth the right moment), remaining focused on our new work and the beautiful members we found purpose to serve.
Focus on the good, pray, read the Bible, and have fellowship with the faithful. Christ our King will slowly lift you up from that deep, dark pit devils had you snared in. We must learn to thank God for the discipline that humbles us into productive labor for His local assembly, now furnished with greater insight to shepherd. His Majesty's will loves us, guided by His law, and obligated to persevere another day forward as legal citizens of His Kingdom (Mt. 6:33).
The letter to Paul to the Philippians truly helped us grow after the trauma, giving us deeper water to learn the text, knowing that Paul also went through the same Diotrephic spirit in his ministry;
"And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."
Peace to all our supporters for loving us. You have discerned the truth and blessed us with much hope in our new chapter.
Your servant,
SM