Lies that Keep Us Silent Pt. 2
And truth that sets our voices free
“If they are going to retain their positions of power, fame, and prosperity, then abusive pastors, professors, and other Christian leaders need to keep those of us who know the truth quiet. One of the ways they mute our voices is through spiritual sounding lies. We believe them, and our silence keeps these hired hands and false teachers in power.”
Last week I wrote the first of a two part series about abusive Christian leaders and the lies they use to keep us silent. We looked at the idea of “not being able to trust our hearts because they are deceitful and wicked.” I dug into the scripture behind this lie that keeps us silent, and I used context to show that the trust the Bible is actually talking about and the trust the power hungry leaders want from us are two very different things.
These verses are not telling us to ignore red flags, minimize our natural intuition, or discount our emotions. They are simply saying not to be over reliant on our own point of view. We should listen to others’ wise counsel, be attentive to and trust in God’s wisdom, and not assume that we know everything on our own. (Sounds like something these abusive leaders could benefit from putting into practice.)
You can read the whole article right here if you haven’t already.
Today I am going to be exploring the false ideas that we cannot touch the Lord’s anointed (usually meaning we aren’t supposed to question or criticize them) and that spiritual authorities have power over us and must always be obeyed. To fully understand these lies, I’ll also be diving once again into the New Apostolic Reformation. In my opinion, this lose network of charismatic leaders and their sketchy, theological beliefs is one of the most dangerous Christian groups of our time. So, here we go!
Lie #2 “Don’t touch (criticize, question, or expose) the Lord’s anointed.”
This lie comes from two Old Testament passages of Scripture both of which need to be twisted pretty hard to get them to mean what people say they mean in some Christian circles. The first passage is Psalm 105:15.
“Do not touch my anointed ones;
do my prophets no harm.”
As is often the case, at first glance and when pulled out by itself, this verse looks like it says exactly what the lie claims it does. The only question is, who are the prophets and anointed ones the verse is talking about? We will get to that answer in a moment. First let’s jump into context. Backing up to the beginning of the chapter, here are verses one through seven:
“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;
make known among the nations what he has done.
Sing to him, sing praise to him;
tell of all his wonderful acts.
Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
Look to the Lord and his strength;
seek his face always.
Remember the wonders he has done,
his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,
you his servants, the descendants of Abraham,
his chosen ones, the children of Jacob.
He is the Lord our God;
his judgments are in all the earth.”
Psalm 105 is a song of celebration looking back at all of God’s wonderous works with his chosen Israelite nation. It is a reminder of specific acts that God did as he protected Abraham and his family, put Joseph into a place of power, and then led the nation of Israel out of the land of Egypt, through the desert, and finally into the Promised Land. Here in context, in the middle of a passage of praise and remembrance is verse fifteen:
“When they were but few in number,
few indeed, and strangers in it,
they wandered from nation to nation,
from one kingdom to another.
He allowed no one to oppress them;
for their sake he rebuked kings:
“Do not touch my anointed ones;
do my prophets no harm.”
He called down famine on the land
and destroyed all their supplies of food;
and he sent a man before them—
Joseph, sold as a slave.”
This verse is a reminder of how God protected his people, specifically Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and their generations down to Joseph. This verse is not a rebuke to people who are trying to call out a false teacher or abusive leader. Context is key. As someone who spent a decade in a Christian cult that used verses and pieces of verses to back up their wild claims, let me say again, context is key. We don’t get to arbitrarily decide that a verse or phrase means something that it clearly doesn’t when read with surrounding verses.
So, who are the anointed ones and prophets in the verse? Contextually, they are Israelites. The Hebrew words for “anointed ones” could also be translated “chosen ones.” Scripture tells us many times that the nation of Israel was God’s chosen people.
The second passage of Scripture that is used to prop up this lie is 1 Samuel 24:6.
“He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.”
Again, context is important. What is happening here? Who is the Lord’s anointed? Who is not laying a hand on the anointed one?
When we read the whole chapter, we find that David is talking to his mighty men about King Saul. King Saul had been chasing David down, yet again, trying to kill him. David is hiding out in a cave, and ironically, King Saul decides to use the same cave as a porta-potty. David’s men urge him to take this opportune moment to kill his enemy, but David refuses. He does however, creep up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe while he is otherwise occupied. But even that small action feels excessive to David and he is remorseful.
“Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.” With these words David sharply rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way” 1 Samuel 24:5-7 (NIV).
David honors the king that the Lord chose (his anointed one) even though that man is a terrible person, and he decides not to kill him. But he is NOT hiding secrets for him, going along with his evil plots, or refusing to criticize him. He just doesn’t murder him. Good job, David.
You might be wondering how these passages of Scripture get twisted into meaning that we shouldn’t talk bad about, criticize, question, or challenge people in spiritual leadership. How do we get from “anointed ones” and “prophets” to pastors, professors, and leaders? Here is where the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) comes into play.
The NAR is not an official organization or denomination. In fact, many people and churches who are affiliated would tell you that the New Apostolic Reformation doesn’t exist. And yet, its leaders have been incredibly influential in current American Evangelicalism, modern worship music, and political movements such as MAGA and the January 6th Insurrection at the Capital. They also influence and lead churches and organizations world wide.
C. Peter Wagner was basically the founder—if there is a founder of an organization that doesn’t exist. Wagner’s ideas and beliefs, along with those of his close friends like Cindy Jacobs, Lance Wallnau, Bill Johnson, Mike Bickle (of IHOP KC), and others have continued to influence and lead charismatic and pentecostal churches and communities for the last forty years.
One of Wagner’s core ideas that caught on with his friends and followers is the belief that we are in a new apostolic age. In order for the church truly succeed and grow, Wagner determined it needed to once again have apostles and prophets. These people were not merely gifted with leadership and discernment, Wagner claimed they were anointed by God with super-spiritual ability giving apostles special authority and prophets the capacity to hear directly from God like the prophets in the Old Testament. Wagner taught that these chosen people were to lead the church in this new apostolic age. Their leadership and visions would create a new reformation and revival—a third Great Awakening if you will. Sometimes this is called “the billion-soul harvest.”
Suddenly, if you’ve never been in a NAR influenced or affiliated church, the lie probably makes sense. The “chosen ones” must not be touched or harmed and this includes being questioned, held accountable, or called out. If you have been involved at all with the NAR, you probably know that this lie protects powerful abusers and squashes victims. Modern day “apostles and prophets” can do and say whatever they want because they have the Lord’s anointing, authority, and wisdom. Also, they are hearing directly from god, so how can they be questioned?
I don’t think it takes someone like me who has been in a Christian cult to see the flaming red flags here. What could go wrong when someone has unlimited power, no accountability, and direct access to a god who talks to them personally? Yikes!
The problem with this lie is that even if there were modern, authoritative apostles and prophets, the verses they use to avoid accountability don’t actually say what they want them to say. These verses aren’t about them. And they definitely aren’t giving them a free pass to avoid accountability. I will remind us what Scripture says about false apostles and teachers next week.
If you are not familiar with the NAR, I’d like to recommend books by Holly Pivec & R. Douglas Geivett such as Counterfeit Kingdom, Reckless Christianity, and God's Super-Apostles: Encountering the Worldwide Prophets and Apostles Movement. I’m also listening to an excellent podcast by Dr. Matthew D. Taylor right now called Charismatic Revival Fury: The New Apostolic Reformation. The NAR is subtle, sneaky, powerful, and attractive to people who are looking to be part of something extraordinary, or desiring power, or sadly struggling with mental illness. Many of the core beliefs these leaders, pastors, and churches share are not found anywhere in scripture or are twisted from verses that seem to be in the Bible. They are incredibly dangerous.
Lie #3 “Trust and obey your spiritual authorities no matter what.”
Many of us who have never met people claiming to be the Lord’s anointed ones have still experienced leaders who claimed authority and demanded unwavering, unquestioning obedience. They probably used verses like Hebrews 13:17, Romans 13:1, and 1 Peter 2:13 to “encourage” our submission and silence.
“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God” Romans 13:1 (NIV).
“Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you” Hebrews 13:17 (NIV).
“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right” 1 Peter 2:13 (NIV).
Of course we are going to look at context again, but before we do I want you to stop and think critically for a moment. There is a huge difference between being a good citizen who resists organizing a coup to overthrow the government and being someone who blindly obeys everything people in power tell us to do. Even Peter and Paul chose to disobey rules they felt went against God’s plan, and they willingly suffered the consequences of arrest, beatings, and prison as a result.
When we read the Bible (an ancient book written in other languages to people of a different culture) simply and literally in our English translations without taking into account culture, idioms, original audience and intent, genre, and more, we set ourselves up for misunderstanding at best and believing complete lies at worst. Okay, here are those verses in context.
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing” Romans 12:21-13:6”
These verses seem to be talking about government and civil authority. Like I said earlier, we can be good, law-abiding citizens and still stand up for what is right, protest what is wrong, and respect the people in authority over us. It’s not an either/or situation. We can use our brains and have both/and.
“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you” Hebrews 13:15-17 (NIV).
This is not blind obedience. It is having an attitude of honor and respect. This is choosing not to be pridefully confrontational and instead intentionally supporting spiritual leaders as they follow Jesus. However, we are not making excuses, covering up sin, or turning a blind eye to abuse. We are not taking everything that comes out of a leader’s mouth as a word from God. There are plenty of verses in Scripture that tell us what to do with false teachers and false apostles. We will talk about those next week.
“Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor” 1 Peter 2:11-17 (NIV).
Again, there is a vast difference between having confidence in, trusting in, and choosing to submit to leaders who are honorable and trustworthy, and blindly following power hungry and abusive leaders just because they wave this verse at you. Critical thinking skills are desperately needed! Which ironically goes back to knowing how to trust our transformed heart and listen to the whisper of the Holy Spirit.
I’m going to close with a couple of extra resources for further study. Next week I will write my monthly Rethinking Faith newsletter and the Something I’m Questioning section will be all about how to deal with abusive leaders and false teachers/prophets/apostles according to the Bible verses that they convienvtly avoid. Some of these verses might surprise you so stay tuned.
Here is a link to an excellent article by
about the New Apostolic Reformation. And here is an old podcast episode of mine sharing nine signs of a false teacher. Thanks for reading!As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts, questions, or comments. You can find me on Threads, Instagram, Facebook, in the Substack app, and on my website. I’d love to connect with you on any of these places!
My podcasts, Religious Rebels and Looking for the Real God can be found here on Substack, and on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.
Christy once again you are spot in your assessment and interpretation of “not touching the Lord’s anointed”. The way of biblical leadership starts with humility of mind and a heart of integrity that seeks to shepherd people with love, mercy and compassion. It’s never power over but power under following the ways of Jesus. I will have to read more about the NAR. Evangelical Christianity has lost its way allowing Political Ideology to infiltrate and usurp what should be total allegiance to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It’s the worst kind of idolatry. Thank you Christy.
If I had a dime for every time I heard "Don't touch the Lord's anointed," as well as "If you can't understand the plan, just follow the man," I would be rich. Thanks for writing this!