Manipulative, Controlling Leadership

 It hurts when you see Christians in leadership and they use the same dishonest political tactics as unbelievers. I've often felt like I was being manipulated by Christian leaders, and I wasn't wrong to feel that way.

It hurts to be pressured into supporting Christian leaders who promote themselves and their party, faction or ministry more than justice and mercy.

Every time an election comes up, I feel stressed about the twisting and manipulation that goes on around me.

When I asked God about this, I believe the Holy Spirit gave me a very clear answer.
Politics is mostly about manipulation. It is what it is.

What does the Bible say about that?

There are leaders who want to hide their mistakes, or the sins of their colleagues.

For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light. Mk 4:22 NKJV

There are leaders who demand unconditional submission.

The apostle Paul was a true and faithful leader. Paul himself condemned the practice of dictatorial leadership.

In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or puts on airs or slaps you in the face. 2 Cor 11:20 NIV

Paul defines the basis for true Christian fellowship.

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Eph 5:21 NIV

Some Christians might argue that this mutual submission should only apply to Christians of the same rank. But how did Jesus understand this truth?

The first Christian woman chosen by God to witness the resurrection was not an apostle, but Mary Magdalene. When she and other women told the fearful apostles that they had seen Jesus, they did not believe. How did Jesus react?

Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. Mk 16:14 NIV

When a leader goes wrong, some Christians claim he was not chosen by God, but King Saul was chosen by God.

There are Christians who claim that you should never publicly criticise a chosen leader, but David openly accused Saul.

Suppose you have been abused, bullied and shunned by Christian leaders, pastors or politicians.

What does Jesus think about this?

In John 9, Jesus healed a blind man. When the man testified that Jesus had healed him, he was excommunicated by the religious leaders.

Jesus didn't just heal the man. He sought him out to help him when he had become a persecuted outcast.

Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”

“Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.”

Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.”

Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshipped him. Jn 9:35–38 NIV

Are you being bullied or ostracised by religious leaders? Please don't blame Jesus. He wants to help you personally. The same religious leaders crucified Jesus, but he returned from the grave.

As a young Christian, I was excommunicated, but I learned that the cruel leaders were not the source of my salvation, but Jesus Himself.

The LORD builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the exiles of Israel.
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Ps 147:2–3 NIV

Jesus gathered the outcasts of Israel and he also gathers the Christian outcasts today.