June 24th, 2021: Be Aware of Abusers
Have you ever got caught in a place where you know that what you hear is not true and yet you want it to be true so badly? Many abused people can identify with this experience. They begin to think that it is their fault when things are not well. They hear voices of accusations in their heads, and they can hardly hear God.
Abuse and deception tend to go together. Many abusers are clever in the ways they manipulate their victims. I met a murderer described by people who knew him as a nice fellow. Abuse is power, and its process is deception. Sometimes we might be uncomfortable encountering these people, but we find it hard to describe what we are feeling and seeing.
The outcome for abused people is usually shame. They blame themselves for being stupid and dump. Sometimes these folks say something like this: "If only I can be more _____, he would not do that to me." That is the biggest lie that many abused victims have to face daily. Shame is the destination for them. Shame eats up their inner well-being and tarnishes their external safety nest.
Sometimes the abuser disguises himself (herself) as the victim. He (she) can also be very convincing. Conniving is their heartless tactic in destroying the real victim while trying to gain sympathy from others.
These abusers don't just exist in personal relationships. There is plenty of them in the public and political domain. Be aware of them.
Ephesians 4: 29-32
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what helps build others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
