What to do when abused by a Christian leader

1 Sam 19:9 And the evil spirit from the LORD was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand: and David played with his hand. 10And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin; but he slipped away out of Saul's presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night.

 

Saul was David’s King. He was David’s leader. He was anointed and placed in this position by God to guide, lead and protect. But instead of doing so, we find him here attacking and trying to hurt those he was placed there to protect. Instead of protecting the flock, he was only trying to protect himself and his position. 

Sometime we find ourselves in a toxic environment. There will be times when the leaders that was supposed to guide you and bless you, instead attack and hurt you. Instead of encouraging you they will insult you. Instead of building you up, they will tear you down. Someone once asked me what to do when abused by a Christian leader. My response is to do like David. 

The first thing David did was to play on his harp. When he did so, the evil Spirit left, and the environment changed. That will work for a while, but if there is no true repentance by the leader, there will also come a time when playing on the harp doesn’t work anymore, and there is a threat for your spiritual life. Then you must also do like David, and get away.

David never defended himself, or threw any Javelins back at Saul. He never hurt him later either when he had a chance. He left him in Gods hands. But he didn’t follow him either. My advice is to leave the judgment to God, and don’t think you have the right to attack Gods anointed. But don’t be foolish like Jonathan either and think you can change him or the environment from the inside. For that mistake Jonathan paid with his life. He died together with Saul.

So let me repeat: What to do when abused by a Christian leader? Keep on worshiping God, and get away from the toxic environment while you still have a chance.