As most within the Charismatic circles know, Mike Winger has produced two evidence based expose’s in recent days. One is called, “The Skeleton’s in Bethel’s Closet Are Now Going to Speak” about Shawn Bolz and his perverse sexual fetishes and false prophesies. It is nearly six hours long and has over 1.2 million views in less than two weeks. The other is called, “I Can Finally Show You The Evidence“, about Todd White.
At the conclusion of his second video, Mike offers apologies to those hurt by the truth. He offers $100,000 to anyone who will do a thorough, sound, legal investigation. Mike also states, he is NOT currently monetizing his videos, so people can’t claim financial incentive for his investigations.
Mike closes with stating…“Even Judas baptized some people who were truly saved.”
I personally have been quiet for days. I have not wanted to jump on some bandwagon, either way. Yet, I realize, cover-up culture was created by leaders doing just what I have been afraid to do….Speak up, stand up, and share the truth.
Because, well, maybe…
At the end of the day, we all want to uphold the integrity of the body of Christ, the churches reputation, and the call of Christianity.
Yet, silence in the face of abuse does not HELP the body of Christ.
It does not HELP the integrity of the church. It does not strengthen believers who will eventually collide with the truth that they have been worshipping men of flesh, while following movements that hold greater merit in their hearts, than the God of Scripture, himself.
And before the Cessationists jump on the bandwagon, stating “miracles don’t exist today”. May we all open up our Bible’s to see from Genesis, (Joseph having VISIONS of Angels going up and down a ladder in heaven), to John in Revelations, (VISIONS of heavenly scenes, like the Throne room of Heaven, with four living creatures and twenty four elders”
Visions, dreams and supernatural revelations, aren’t just “sprinkled” throughout Scripture. They SATURATE it.Â
At the same time, I get why preachers love a powerless gospel. A powerless people are easy to control. A dead church allows the pastor alone to rule. Sleepy observers will not challenge any leaders authority, let alone shake up governments or impact nations.
Let’s face it….A lifeless church, without God’s Spirit, is easy to control.
A little back story…
I grew up in the church where I memorized Scripture. I did all the good “church” things. However, it wasn’t until I stayed late from a chapel and a missionary prayed for me, that I was filled with His Spirit and God’s Word became ALIVE.
Christianity without the Holy Spirit, is like a sailboat without wind. We can row, moving slowly in one direction. But there will never be true freedom and momentum until the wind of His Spirit completely takes over our lives.
“A ship is always safe at the shore, but that’s not what it was built for.” John A Shedd (1928)
We were not made for safe Christianity. And I think we all know it in our flesh….A powerless God is no God at all.
Back to the exposing…
As I have sat on the sidelines, asking God if I should just stay silent. I realized that by staying silent…”I” am just as much at fault as those who stood by corruption, abuse, and sin, while silently doing nothing.
Still, I must be honest. Saying nothing is easier. Saying nothing prevents either side of the camp from messaging you, labeling you, or accusing you of wrongdoing.
Staying neutral lets you cover yourself, hide in the shadows of any wrongdoing, without anyone pointing fingers.
Yet, isn’t hiding what Adam and Eve did? They disobeyed, then hid in the bushes? Wrongdoing always creates retreat. But truth is not afraid of the light.
And while light may be like a magnet to the moths in this world; it is also what overcomes darkness and what prevents others from blindly following and enduring faith shattering shock when the people they are following have miserably failed them.
And I wonder…
What if the FIRST person abused by a leader would have spoken up? What if the pain, the secrecy, the lies and the sin were uncovered immediately? Would
hundreds, thousand or even millions have been spared?
And what is the reason for cover up? How are we or other leaders profiting by being silent in the face of abuse?
Do we seek man’s approval? Seemingly acceptance from those that may watch us? Do we want a protection from having to step into the arena and defend the truth we so boldly might proclaim?
Still, for many leaders, I think there are three things that keep leadership quiet…
- reputation
- pride
- money
The enemy silences us when there is any kind of profit from not saying anything. Fear, intimidation, or shame are powerful motivators as well. And we all know, spiritual abuse is often twisted with a silent web of bullying, coercive control and deception”.
One way we can “test” abuse is by looking around and asking, “Who is profiting by not saying anything?” (Cover-up culture 101) Are people profiting from book sales, speaking engagements, financial incentives tied to their relationship with corrupt leaders?
And sincere repentance? What does that look like? Is it getting caught, creating crocodile tears, only to eventually allow that behavior to continue? Is it apologizing just for PR, so a church doesn’t lose givers? Are there dozens of other relationships like this, in their review mirror….or even still in their back pockets?
Is an apology like an abusive partner? Causing harm and them tearfully begging for forgiveness? Only to repeat the crime, the moment all eyes turn away?
Apology without a “turning around”, (aka TRUE REPENTANCE) means nothing until actual behavior changes.
And let’s be honest, too many “spiritual leaders” keep allowing sin; whether it be Mike Bickle, Todd Bentley, Shawn Boltz or a dozen others.
Where are the godly men and women who run from sin? Stand up against evil, instead of justifying or covering up? When did we allow the church to become like a battered mistress, harming her with abuse, lies and false repentance…only to repeat it all over again?
The Bride of Christ is to be holy. The Bride of Christ is called to be sanctified and white. She is called to be pure and beautiful.
Who wants to marry a dirty bride? One filthy and scorn? One whose a liar and abusive? A bride who is ugly and not attractive to Jesus, let alone a world desperately needing her pure and fruitful witness?
And while yes, Jesus is the one who purifies us, not our efforts or our works….
There is a people God spits out of his mouth, those who call evil good and good evil. Those who taint the name of Jesus and intentionally allow His name and reputation to be scorn for their own comfort, convenience, or profit.
We all have stories of Spiritual Leaders who plowed through a region, trying to create self-focus and carnal followers, talking about their own name more than Jesus and valuing money more than the gifts of the Kingdom….
Run from such teachers!
Test and know both the words and the character of the one you are following, behind closed doors….not just who people show you they are from the center of some stage.
Look for leaders who are Biblically based, those who are humble and authentic.
Most of all, make sure any Spiritual Leader is pointing you to Jesus, and never to himself.
Expose those who abuse their onlookers for selfish gain.
The false gospel of money and power and self, is falling. May we tremble at the name of Jesus. The one who got low. The one who turned the tables of the Synagogue. The One who loves those who were poor and contrite.
He served those who couldn’t offer Him anything.
God is pulling back the curtain of cover-up culture. Sin can no longer be hidden in the corners of people’s lives and ministries.
At the same time, as Mike Winger puts it…If you have been impacted positively by crooked people, don’t turn away from Jesus. (Or might I add, His Spirit)
Even Judas baptized people into the Kingdom, though He was given into darkness and ultimately betrayed Jesus.
In this season, our houses MUST be built on the ROCK. All things built on the sands of self, will eventually be obsolete.
