Question:

I want to ask you how you deal with truly evil people. I am thinking of the wolves in sheep's clothing. Often they live unrecognized in the church, even as they abuse and savage others. They are the narcissists, the socio-paths, the psychopaths, without conscience.

What does it look like?

Graham:

Great question! The prime consideration here is who we are in Christ for ourselves. Christ in me means that I have all His Nature at my disposal. Me in Christ tells me how much I have actually made His Nature my own lifestyle. The gap between the two is not to be seen as a discrepancy on our part; it is simply describing my learning curve. it is a guide to my next transformational encounter and experience. As such it empowers me to keep up to date with who I am becoming in Jesus.

When we are faced with extremely oppositional people we are responding from our place in Jesus, who is our Rock, Fortress and High Tower; meaning that we have a natural defense that allows us to access Presence and Power regardless of circumstances. So we remain at peace and unafraid.

When we come to the issue of peoples behavior, there are several responses to consider:

Is it legal? Is this a police matter? ie. domestic violence, harassment, forms of abuse.

2. Is it general opposition from people? In Jesus we love our enemies. Luke 6:35

3. In the matter of gross sexual sin, we follow Pauls apostolic injunction in 1 Cor 5: 1-7;
2Cor 2: 3-8 and Gal 6: 1-3

4. Re: Wolves in Sheep’s clothing we are encouraged to be on guard and protect the flock.
Acts 20: 28-31. Attention needs to be drawn to hurtful behaviors. Both to protect victims
and restore the perpetrator.

Anti christian behavior requires leadership to be strong and
loving; gracious but firm; protective and redemptive; to exclude with the passion to
include when repentance has been made. hope that helps.