Human Trafficking in the Church — Part 21
Recognizing the Six Characteristics of the Religious Spirit of Babylon
They said, “Come, let us build a city for ourselves, and a tower whose top will reach into the heavens, and let us make a [famous] name for ourselves, so that we will not be scattered [into separate groups] and be dispersed over the surface of the entire earth [as the Lord instructed].”—Genesis 11:4 (AMP)
5. Making a Name for Ourselves (continued)
When Jesus’ name is the most highly valued name in the organization, then the character and ethics of the organization tend to be more closely aligned with the character of Jesus.
In contrast, when the name of the *organization *is more highly valued, that organization sets itself up for corruption. In addition, when the organization is more highly valued than the people that it serves, then that organization often becomes a breeding ground for sin, corruption, and spiritual human trafficking.
We have seen this scenario play out in scandals that were exposed in many Christian denominations and ministries.
When the name of the organization is exalted and promoted, anything that would potentially tarnish that name is a threat to the organization. The future growth and the fund-raising abilities of an organization depend on the organization maintaining a good reputation.
Sadly, the organization doesn’t have to *operate *with pure motives, godly character, and moral, ethical behavior in order to grow. It only has to maintain the appearance of doing so. Sadly, “image is everything” in some of these organizations.
When sin is discovered within the ranks, rather than address the sin as we are commanded to do in Matthew 18:15-17 and Leviticus 19:17, sin is often covered up. The risk to the organization’s name and reputation is often considered too great to confront the sin within its ranks.
When these decisions are made to tolerate and cover up sin in order to protect the name of the organization, sin is empowered, and people within the organization are often victimized. When the sin is eventually exposed after being allowed to grow and continue with the tacit approval of the organization’s leadership, the faith of many believers may be shaken, causing them to stumble, question their faith, and possibly turn away from God.
In order to safeguard against this kind of offense, Paul determined that he would always strive to maintain a clear conscience.
“On account of this, I have committed myself to maintaining a clear conscience before God and with all people.”—Acts 24:16 (CEB)
“My friends, to this day I have served God with a clear conscience!”—Acts 23:1 (CEV)
“The goal of this instruction is love that flows from a pure heart, from a clear conscience, and from a sincere faith.”—1 Timothy 1:5 (ISV)
“Timothy, my child, I am instructing you in keeping with the prophecies made earlier about you, so that by following them you may continue to fight the good fight with faith and a good conscience. By ignoring their consciences, some people have destroyed their faith like a wrecked ship.”—1 Timothy 1:18-19 (ISV)
Paul went even further and made a commitment to avoid any *questionable *activities that might possibly cause a weak believer to stumble.
“Then let us not criticize one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block or a source of temptation in another believer’s way.
**“**I know and am convinced [as one] in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean [ritually defiled, and unholy] in itself; but [nonetheless] it is unclean to anyone who thinks it is unclean.
**“**If your brother is being hurt or offended because of food [that you insist on eating], you are no longer walking in love [toward him]. Do not let what you eat destroy and spiritually harm one for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let what is a good thing for you [because of your freedom to choose] be spoken of as evil [by someone else]; for the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking [what one likes], but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
**“**For the one who serves Christ in this way [recognizing that food choice is secondary] is acceptable to God and is approved by men. So then, let us pursue [with enthusiasm] the things which make for peace and the building up of one another [things which lead to spiritual growth].
**“**Do not, for the sake of food, tear down the work of God. All things indeed are [ceremonially] clean, but they are wrong for the person who eats and offends [another’s conscience in the process]. It is good [to do the right thing and] not eat meat or drink wine, or do anything that offends your brother and weakens him spiritually.”—Romans 14:13-21 (AMP)
When sin is covered up, rather than confronted, within an organization, it is a clear sign that the organization is prioritizing personal empire building, rather than seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, as we are commanded in Matthew 6:33.
When it was discovered that the Corinthian church was tolerating sin in the life of a church member, Paul was quick to tell the church leaders to confront it and deal with it decisively.
“I can hardly believe the report about the sexual immorality going on among you—something that even pagans don’t do. I am told that a man in your church is living in sin with his stepmother. You are so proud of yourselves, but you should be mourning in sorrow and shame. And you should remove this man from your fellowship.
“Even though I am not with you in person, I am with you in the Spirit. And as though I were there, I have already passed judgment on this man in the name of the Lord Jesus. You must call a meeting of the church. I will be present with you in spirit, and so will the power of our Lord Jesus.** **Then you must throw this man out and hand him over to Satan so that his sinful nature will be destroyed and he himself will be saved on the day the Lord returns.”—1 Corinthians 5:1-5 (NLT)
“It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning.** **God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, ‘You must remove the evil person from among you.’”—1 Corinthians 5:12-13 (NLT)
Paul made it clear to the church leaders that when sin is tolerated within an organization, it spreads and brings corruption and defilement to the entire organization.
“Your boasting about this is terrible. **Don’t you realize that this sin is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough? **Get rid of the old ‘yeast’ by removing this wicked person from among you. Then you will be like a fresh batch of dough made without yeast, which is what you really are. Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed for us. So let us celebrate the festival, not with the old bread of wickedness and evil, but with the new bread of sincerity and truth.”—1 Corinthians 5:6-8 (NLT)