The Gospel of Exposure...

Unless you’re living under a rock, you’re aware of the megachurches, ministries, influencers, and personalities that have come under scrutiny for a variety of reasons. I’m intentionally not naming names. I’m not interested in adding fuel to the already raging fire that exists in the social-media stratosphere.

This is a blog—not a book—so don’t assume what I’m about to say represents the full scope of my thoughts on the subject.

While I’ve never been a victim of sexual abuse, I have stories when it comes to the finer subtleties of spiritual abuse. I’ve got some real doozies. And yet, I’ve never felt compelled to process those experiences publicly on social media.

Could sharing help someone who’s been exposed to a similar narrative find language for their own healing? Possibly. But there’s a popular trend I see emerging that I believe is neither redemptive nor constructive to the Body of Christ at large—the ministry of exposure.

There are entire ministries and movements that appear to have received a so-called “divine call” to expose sin in the Church. If you know me, you know I’m a Bible guy—so I have to ask: Where do we see this in Scripture?

Now let me throw you a curveball.

There’s a lot of exposure in the Bible. But—and I mean a BIG ol’ but—the difference couldn’t be more stark.

Those who brought words of correction were primarily prophets and apostles speaking to specific people, specific churches, specific regions, or at times, entire nations. And their posture was worlds apart from what we see today.

When a prophet spoke, it wasn’t for commentary—it was from the Lord. Elijah said, “Before God, in whose presence I stand.” Jeremiah said, “If they had stood in My counsel…”

No prophet in Scripture exposed sin for exposure’s sake. And certainly not for likes, follows, clicks, or platform growth.

Now, to be clear—there are people who have genuine proximity to these issues. Their words carry real weight. They speak carefully, thoughtfully, and with redemptive intent. If that’s you, carry on. I’m not talking to you.

What I am talking about are those you never would have heard of had they not built an influencer platform on the backs of the very public failures of very public figures.

Yes, there are moments in the New Testament where Paul says he handed unrepentant individuals over to the destruction of their flesh. But the defining difference is this: Paul had spiritual authority and direct relational access to everyone involved.

“But what about the victims?”

Let me be clear—I am a direct recipient of spiritual abuse from church leadership on multiple levels. I know exactly what a Jezebel spirit looks like in a pastor.

Still, Scripture says, “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,” says the Lord. Jesus says, “Nothing will remain hidden.” God even corrected David when he assumed the wicked always “get away with it.”

We also have the law of the land, established for the very purpose of bringing justice to those abused by clergy or anyone else. If someone breaks the law, they should be held accountable.

For everything else—let God be God.

At the end of the day, Jesus says you’ll know them by their fruit. And while “awareness” may have redeeming qualities, it is not a fruit of the Spirit.

If you feel called to raise awareness, then bring something constructive. Bring something creative. Bring something fruitful to the conversation.

I once purchased a seven-part docuseries on financial mismanagement in the Church. After watching all seven painful episodes, all I walked away knowing was—sure enough—there is financial mismanagement in the nonprofit sector.

What I was hoping for were solutions. Ideas. A path forward.

There were none.

Today, influencers are building entire brands on the popularity of cancel culture, spiritual abuse narratives, Christian gossip (which shouldn’t even exist), moral failure, deconstruction, and ex-vangelicalism.

Dr. Kenneth E. Hagin—who endured his own share of scrutiny and criticism—used to tell us in Bible college, “Never brighten your own candle by putting out someone else’s.”

Scripture calls Satan “the accuser of the brethren.” And if your entire ministry consists of exposing one moral failure after another, I’d seriously take some time to ask yourself:

What spirit are you actually of?