BLEEDING IN THE CHURCH

(Personal testimony of a wounded healer)

“If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were raising himself against me, I could hide from him.  But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend with whom I once enjoyed sweet felllowship as we walked with the throng at the house of God. 
Psalms 55:12-14

As you read this article, my prayer is that you will experience the healing power of Jesus Christ.  Many of us, if not all, have experienced betrayal, rejection, and pain in some form or another. Whether we felt rejected by parents, betrayed by friends or hurt by family, we have encountered one of these emotions.  Whenever we are hurt, as a human, it is our natural instinct to retaliate.  We have been taught if someone hit us, hit them back.  If they do us wrong, return the favor to them.  I believe one reason many are damaged by this type of hurt is because of the offender.  Sometimes when we are hurt by people who are not close to use, the pain isn’t that great.  But it’s something to be hurt by someone you call a foe/friend/confidant.  The one you trust some of our inner most secrets with only to learn they exposed your pain without your permission.  Another level of pain that’s difficult to deal with is being hurt in the church.  We expect people in the world to hurt us because they are governed by their sin nature.  But when someone in the church deliberately hurt us it can be devastating because we should be governed by the Holy Spirit.   I pray that as you read this article, if you have experienced “church hurt”, this word will free you to be healed. 

As we read this scripture we must understand the background of it.  David is writing this out of the pain encountered through his son Absalom’s rebellion and Ahithophel betrayal (II Sam 15:17)  Not only was Ahithophel and David ministering together, but Abaslom was David’s son who wanted to overthrow him.  As a parent, I’m learning firsthand the pain a child can cause.  Whether it’s out of their disobedience or rebellion it’s a hurtful situation when your child comes against you.  I remember growing up in a very family oriented neighborhood and seeing one of my friends physically fight his mother.  I thought to myself how awful for them to be in the street fighting as if they are enemies.  Let’s look at the life of Absalom. 

Absalom’s rebellion:  Absalom was the third of David's six sons and he was born in Hebron. His mother, Maacah, was the daughter of Talmai, the king of Geshur (II Sam 3:2-5). Absalom was very handsome and had a silver tongue and thus "stole the hearts of the men of Israel" (II Sam 14:25; 15:2-6). His sister, Tamar, was raped by their half brother, Amnon, and two years later Absalom had him killed.  While David had some issues with his children I believe David did loved them.  Here we have Absalom who came up against his father in an effort to take over the kingdom.  How does a child become so rebellious that they will turn on a parent?  What drives a child to desire his father’s position and to overthrow him at any costs? This is what David dealt with and what I believe he’s referring to when he said if it had been an enemy that did this to me.  There is no greater pain than being hurt by those who are the closest to you. 

Ahithophel betrayal:  Ahithophel’s name means “brother of foolishness” and he was the real leader of the Absalom rebellion against David.  He was known as the king's counselor and worshipped with David.  It was Ahithophel's advice, that caused Absalom to take over his father's concubines (II Sam 16:15-23). Ahithophel urged Absalom to fight David immediately before the king could reorganize his forces (II Sam 17: 1-4).

 I want you to picture the people you stand with in church, preach with, sing with in the choir, usher with just minister with in any capacity.  Now imagine these same spirit filled people plotting your demise.  This is what David had to endure.   

There are many people in the body of Christ who are suffering and hurting just as David did.  This was not someone he didn’t know, but someone he trusted and he had a relationship with.  It’s not our enemies that hurt us the most, but those we trust to be there for us.  Why is it that the church has become a battle ground and not a place of healing for those who need it? Why are so many jealous of each other in the body of Christ?  If we are there for the purpose of building the kingdom of God and spreading the good news of Jesus Christ, then why is there so much discord amongst us?  The spirits of divorce, back biting, sexual immorality, just to name a few, are running rampant in many of our churches.  When I hear of such things I often ask myself, “What are we doing that has contributed to this madness?”  Are we really restoring people as directed by Galatians 6:1?  How does God view the church in the sense that we represent it?    

As I write this article, I am so grieved by the chaos many of our churches are suffering.  We have to go back to God.  If we are going to stop the bleeding in the church, we must go back to II Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”  

I leave you with this question:  Are you bleeding in the church or causing others to bleed?  Saints of God, let’s stop the friendly fire and be about our Father’s business.  Let’s pray.

Father, in the name of Jesus,

I pray for every reader who has visited this website.  Father we know that the enemy is roaring like lion, but You have given us power over the enemy.  God, I pray for a spirit of unity so that we will stop hurting each other and stop tearing one another down, but begin to build each other up for Your sake.  God teach us to see each other out of Your eyes, with Your love, but most importantly help us to love with Your love.  God, so many people are hurting, so many things are happening and we need to turn our hearts back to You.  God, forgive me if I’ve contributed to someone bleeding in the church.  Teach us to take a stand for righteousness even when it seems like we’re standing alone.  We know we are NEVER alone with You.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen