<![CDATA[LIVINGSTONE FELLOWSHIP - Character Assassins]]>

<![CDATA[LIVINGSTONE FELLOWSHIP - Character Assassins]]>Sat, 04 Apr 2026 15:03:29 +0200Weebly<![CDATA[Malicious Talk and Evil Suspicions]]>Tue, 01 Mar 2022 09:33:40 GMThttps://www.livingstonefellowship.co.za/character-assassins/malicious-talk-and-evil-suspicions

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The Apostle Paul warned of malicious antagonists: "He is conceited ...he has an unhealthy interest in controversies and arguments that result in envy, quarrelling, malicious talk, evil suspicions..." 1 Timothy 6:4

Envy and Pride Breed Quarrels
The Bible warns us that "envy rots the bones" Proverbs 14:30.
"Pride only breeds quarrels" Proverbs 13:10.

To Deprive the Innocent of Justice
The Word of God warns us of "the ruthless ...mockers ...with an eye for evil. Those who with a word make a man out to be guilty, who ensnare the defender in court and with false testimony deprive the innocent of justice." Isaiah 29:20-21

Charming Speech can Conceal Malice in the Heart
As much as we would prefer to believe the best about everyone and as hard as it may be for us to believe that such people exist, even within our own circles, the Bible continually warns us: "A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but in his heart he harbours deceit. Though his speech is charming, do not believe him for seven abominations fill his heart..." Proverbs 26:24

Men Will Arise and Distort the Truth
The Apostle Paul, in his farewell address to the Church in Ephesus warned: "I know that after I leave savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I have never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears." Acts 20:29-31

Harbouring Hatred
The Bible tells us of Esau who held a grudge against his brother Jacob (Genesis 27:41), and of Joseph's brothers who hated him to such an extent that they betrayed him and sold him into slavery to Egypt. "They hated him and could not speak a kind word to him." Genesis 37:4

The Bible tells us of king Ahab who hated the prophet Micah: "There is still one man through whom we can enquire of the Lord, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me..." 1 Kings 22:8

Herodias, the wife of king Herod, "nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him." Mark 6:19

In the book of Esther we read that "when Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honour, he was enraged ...he scorned only killing Mordecai. Instead Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai's people, throughout the whole kingdom..." Esther 3:5-6

When the Lord Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath, the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law "were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus." Luke 6:7-11

The Lord Jesus taught: "The world hates Me because I testify that what it does is evil." John 7:7

Comfort the Afflicted and Afflict the Comfortable
Those who are called to oppose evil, or who are faithful in proclaiming God's Word and applying the Lordship of Christ to all areas of life, must expect to offend many. If you testify against evil expect opposition. A missionary’s job description is to comfort the afflicted and to afflict the comfortable. If you are not being criticised, you're not doing your job!

"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first." John 15:18

"Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness." 1 John 2:9

"Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him." 1 John 3:15

The Rebellion of Korah
The Bible also tells us of Korah, a Levite, who "became insolent and rose up against Moses" (Numbers 16:1). Korah rebelled against the Lord (Numbers 26:9). Korah and his co-conspirators, Dathan and Abiram, mobilised a large number of the congregation of Israel against Moses. The Bible records that the Lord said to Moses: "Say to the assembly, 'Move away from the tents of Korah, Dathan and Abiram'." Then "the earth opened up its mouth and swallowed them with their households and all Korah's men and all their possessions. They went down alive into the grave, with everything they owned; the earth closed over them and they perished and were gone from the community" Numbers 16:23-33. "Woe to them ...they have been destroyed in Korah's rebellion" Jude 11.

The Conspiracy of Absalom
Another traitor written about in the Bible is Absalom. King David's subversive son, Absalom, betrayed his father by stealing the hearts of the men of Israel and leading them to revolt against their king. Renowned for his beauty, Absalom feigned concern for the people's problems, sitting outside the city gates declaring his father's neglect of the people and presenting himself as the only righteous judge in Israel. He received the people of Israel with great affection, kissing their hands and promising them justice.

When he had succeeded in manoeuvring himself into a place of favour with the people, Absalom deceitfully asked his father's permission to let him go to Hebron "to make a sacrifice". In fact, he intended to proclaim himself king while in Hebron. Although Absalom had earlier murdered his half-brother, Amnon, King David, after enforcing an exile on his son for several years, received him back with great affection. But while King David was sincere in his reconciliation, Absalom was not.

Absalom positioned himself by the palace gates to greet the men of Israel, subtly maligning his father to them. For a long period of time he carefully undermined his father's authority. His conspiracy was so well thought out and his deception so complete that neither King David nor the 200 men who travelled with Absalom to Hebron perceived his disloyalty. "They had been invited as guests and went quite innocently, knowing nothing about the matter." 2 Samuel 15:11

David's great love for his son, Absalom, led him to overlook the many failings and weaknesses of Absalom, dealing graciously with him, even after his great crime of murdering his half brother; while Absalom's hatred for his father stirred up such dissension that it resulted in intense conflict. Hatred stirs up dissension! "Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs." Proverbs 10:12

The results of Absalom's treachery were catastrophic. Israel descended into civil war and many thousands died in the ensuing conflict (2 Samuel 18:7-8).

The Treachery of Judas
Not even our Lord Jesus, while He was on earth, was spared the trauma of being betrayed by one close to Him. "Then Jesus replied: 'Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!' (He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray Him)" John 6:70-71.

Although it has been common for Hollywood productions to deal very sympathetically with Judas, the Bible is quite clear that Judas was greedy (Matthew 26:14-15); treacherous (Luke 22:47-48); dishonest and hypocritical (John 12:5-6). The Bible is very clear that Judas Iscariot betrayed Christ (Matthew 10:4). Judas asked the Chief Priests: "What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?" Matthew 26:14. The Bible records that the chief priests were "delighted" at Judas's treachery (Mark 14:10).

Although Judas was the of the Twelve, and feigned concern for the poor, the Bible reveals that, in fact, Judas was a thief, stealing from the funds of the Lord Himself (John 12:4-6). The treasurer became a Traitor. The apostle became an Apostate.

Far from Judas being a well-meaning victim of circumstances, the Bible is quite clear that he was a malicious traitor. John's Gospel plainly says "then Satan entered into Judas" John 13:27.

After the Resurrection and Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ, the book of Acts records the Apostle Peter applying the prophecy of Psalm 109 to the treachery of Judas. "May another take his place of leadership" (Acts 1:20). This is a prophecy from Psalm 109:8. The same prophecy includes these insights as to the motivations of traitors like Judas: "For wicked and deceitful men have opened their mouths against me; they have spoken against me with lying thoughts. With words of hatred they surround me; they attack me without cause. In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer. They repay me evil for good, and hatred for my friendship." Psalm 109:2-5

The Curse of Cowardice
Almost as hurtful as the treachery of the Korahs, Absaloms and Judas is the sense of betrayal which many leaders feel when those they thought were friends remain silent and inactive. Like the priest and the Levite who walked by on the other side of the road, while the traveller lay bleeding on the ground; many church members, colleagues and associates choose to keep their distance while their pastor, or missionary, are being savaged by character assassins (Luke 10:27-37). Sometimes silence is golden. Other times it is just plain yellow!

Standing up to Bullies
This is the very opposite of loving your neighbour as yourself and doing to others as you would have them do to you (Luke 6:31). There are always bullies and I have had my fair share of taunts, teasing, being kicked, tripped, poked with injection needles while at school assembly and being beaten black and blue by gangs at school. When my children faced bullies, I tried to help then handle these challenges. What has always amazed me is the unwillingness of many parents and teachers to recognise, or deal with, their children, or students, who are vicious bullies. All too many children who are bullies grow up to be character assassins as adults.

Gossips, Graffiti Vandals and Terrorists
Gossips are much like the graffiti vandals who deface other people's property with their spray cans, while deluding themselves that they are artists. The pathological antagonists, however, are more like the terrorists who plant landmines, car bombs and hijack aircraft to cause maximum damage to the targets of their hate.

Heartless Neutrality and Cowardly Passivity Enables Abuse
What enables bullies, graffiti artists and terrorists to continue to damage lives and property is the heartless neutrality and cowardly passivity of most bystanders. To justify their inexcusable inactivity many resort to a blame the victim approach, or they presume to find fault on both sides! "But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." Revelation 21:8

Stand-up and Speak Out in Support of those being Defamed
Similarly, when we see those frustrated failures who take out their rage on the authority figure who symbolises what they are not - successful and blessed by God - we should stand up and speak out for those whose good name and ministry are being defamed.

They All Deserted Him
It was all too easy to cheer Christ with the crowds shouting Hosanna! on Palm Sunday. However, very few spoke up for Christ when the same crowds were screaming Crucify Him! on Good Friday. "Then all the disciples deserted Him and fled" (Matthew 26:56).

How Far Will You Go?
Of Jesus disciples, only John, and the women disciples, went all the way to the Cross and stood with Christ at His darkest hour when He was condemned and dying a disgraceful criminal's death. "For they loved praise from men more than praise from God" John 12:43.

The Fear of Man is a Snare
"Fear of man will prove to be a snare..." Proverbs 29:25. The Bible reveals that many people failed to stand for, or confess, their faith in Christ, because of their fear of what other people would say (John 7:13; 12:42; Gal. 2:12). But God's Word is clear:

Fear God Alone
"Do not be afraid of any man..." Deuteronomy 1:17. Fear God not man. Build your life on the rock of God's Word.

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7

Dr. Peter Hammond

Frontline Fellowship

]]><![CDATA[A Biblical response to slander]]>Mon, 29 Jun 2020 07:21:16 GMThttps://www.livingstonefellowship.co.za/character-assassins/a-biblical-response-to-slander"You shall not give false testimony against your neighbour." Exodus 20:15

"Do not spread false reports. Do not help a wicked man by being a malicious witness." Exodus 23:1

"The first to present his case seems right until another comes forward and questions him." Proverbs 18:17

"He who answers before listening - that is his folly and his shame." Proverbs 18:13

"A perverse man stirs up dissension and a gossip separates close friends." Proverbs 16:28

"It is to a man's honour to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel." Proverbs 20:3

"A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much." Proverbs 20:19

"Drive out the mocker and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended." Proverbs 22:10

"Do not testify against your neighbour without cause, or use your lips to deceive." Proverbs 24:28

"What you have seen with your eyes do not bring hastily to court, for what will you do in the end if your neighbour puts you to shame? If you argue your case with a neighbour, do not betray another man's confidence, or he who hears it may shame you and you will never lose your bad reputation." Proverbs 25: 8 - 10

"Like one who seizes a dog by the ears is a passer by who meddles in a quarrel not his own." Proverbs 26: 17

"An angry man stirs up dissension." Proverbs 29:22

"A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies." Proverbs 12:17

"He who guards his lips guards his soul, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin." Proverbs 13:3

"A false witness will not go unpunished and he who pours out lies will perish." Proverbs 19:9

"Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is the man who gives false testimony against his neighbour." Proverbs 25:18

"Whoever slanders his neighbour in secret, him will I put to silence …" Psalms 101:5

"He who conceals his hatred has lying lips and whoever spreads slander is a fool." Proverbs 10:18

"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice." Ephesians 4:31

"Remind the people to … slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate and to show true humility toward all men." Titus 3: 1-2

"The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire and is itself set on fire by hell." James 3:6

"Therefore rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander of every kind." 1 Peter 2:1

"One witness is not enough to convict a man accused of any crime or offence he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If a malicious witness takes the stand to accuse a man of a crime, the two men involved in the dispute must stand in the presence of the Lord before the priests and the judges who are in office at the time. The judges must make a thorough investigation and if the witness proves to be a liar, giving false testimony against his brother, you must purge the evil from among you. The rest of the people will hear of this and be afraid and never again will such an evil thing be done among you." Deuteronomy 19: 15-20

Dr. Peter Hammond
Livingstone Fellowship
P.O. Box 74 Newlands 7725
Cape Town South Africa
Tel: 021-689-4480
Email: mission@frontline.org.za
Website: www.livingstonefellowship.co.za
www.hmsschoolofchristianjournalism.org

This article is adapted from a chapter in Character Assassins – Dealing with Ecclesiastical Tyrants and Terrorists. The audio CD of the sermon preached on this subject is also available from Christian Liberty Books, PO Box 358,
Howard Place 7450, Cape Town,
South Africa, Tel: 021-689-7478,
Fax: 086-551-7490,
Email: admin@christianlibertybooks.co.za
Website: www.christianlibertybooks.co.za.

See also:
Sin and Interpersonal Relationships
When All Men Speak Well of You
Learning From Failure

]]><![CDATA[When All Men Speak Well of You]]>Wed, 15 Sep 2010 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.livingstonefellowship.co.za/character-assassins/when-all-men-speak-well-of-you

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"Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets."
Luke 6:26

It is interesting how, in spite of all the warnings in Scripture against gossip, slander, and tale bearing, just how much stock we tend to place in people's opinions. It is said that where there is smoke there is fire. However, the smoke may be no more than dust and hot air.

As Mark Twain observed: "A lie can travel halfway across the world while truth is still getting its boots on!"

The great Baptist preacher, C.H. Spurgeon, warned: "Believe not half you hear; repeat not half you believe. When you hear an evil report, halve it, then quarter it, and say nothing about the rest of it."

The great Reformer, John Calvin, declared: "No greater injury can be inflicted upon men than to ruin their reputation."

Thomas Brooks taught: "Of all the members in the body, there is none so serviceable to Satan as the tongue."

C. H. Spurgeon wrote: "The more prominent you are in Christ's service, the more certain are you to be the butt of calumny. I have long ago said farewell to my character. I lost it in the early days of my ministry by being a little more zealous than suited a slumbering age. And I have never been able to regain it except in the sight of Him who judges all the earth, and in the hearts of those who love me for my work's sake."

John Calvin wrote: "There is nothing more slippery or loose than the tongue."

The Scriptures command us

"to slander no-one, to be peaceable and considerate and to show true humility toward all men."
Titus 3:2

"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice."
Ephesians 4:31

Yet gossip remains prevalent within the church, and the arrogance, bitterness, jealousy and malice that so often accompany it generally remains unchallenged.

King David wrote:

"Whoever slanders his neighbour in secret, him will I put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, him will I not endure."
Psalm 101:5

Today, however, it is more common to publish the slanders than to silence or rebuke them.

Few seem to consider that whoever gossips to you will gossip of you.

The teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ are very clear.

"In everything do to others what you would have them do to you. For this sums up the Law and the prophets."
Matthew 7:1

When we pray we are to say:

"Forgive us our debts as we have also forgiven our debtors…. For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."
Matthew 6:12-15

"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
Matthew 5:11-12

"Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets…Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets."
Luke 6:22-26

Why then do we continue to place such value upon people's opinions? After all, mass murdering tyrants like Joseph Stalin and Mao Tse Tung have been "Man of the Year" of Time Magazine .

"Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I was still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ."
Galatians 1:10

Our Lord Jesus Christ warned us: "Many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other."
Matthew 24:10

Even one of Jesus' hand picked disciples, Judas, who was trusted as the treasurer of "The Twelve" took money from the high priests to betray our Lord Jesus Christ into their hands (Luke 22:8; John 13:21).

When Moses sent out twelve scouts to explore the land, ten returned with a negative and defeatist report and "made the whole community grumble" to the point of even wanting to stone Joshua and Caleb (Numbers 14:36). Only Joshua and Caleb, of the twelve, came back with a good report. The Lord severely judged the ten complainers and mightily blessed the faithful Joshua and Caleb (Numbers 16:38

Criticising Calvin
The great French Reformer, John Calvin, transformed Geneva through his preaching, teaching, writings and Academy. Under John Calvin's ministry, Geneva became the intellectual centre and hub of the Reformation, a place of religious freedom and refuge for Protestants fleeing persecution. Geneva also became a sending base for evangelists, pastors and missionaries who established literally thousands of Reformed churches throughout Europe and further afield.

Yet historians have noted that: "No good man has ever had a worse press; no Christian theologian is so often scorned; so regularly attacked."

Throughout his life Calvin faced major opposition, often from fellow Protestants and other theologians: "whose objections to Calvin were incessant and, usually, unpleasant." Even today, there are those who maintain that John Calvin was a vicious tyrant who oppressed the people under an unbearable dictatorship. And that he had people executed for disagreeing with him.

Yet, the facts are: Calvin never ruled Geneva. The city was not a totalitarian society, but a republic with elections and dissent. Calvin held no civil office, he could neither arrest nor punish any citizen, nor could he appoint or dismiss any official. (To argue that his eloquence and logic constituted tyranny, is to invent a new standard.)

History records that refugees from all over Europe flooded to Geneva to find the freedom there that they were not able to enjoy in their home countries. Under Calvin, Geneva developed into Europe's greatest concentration of printers and publishing firms. It became the epicentre of the movement for freedom world wide. Yet Calvin continues to be slandered by ignorant and prejudiced people

Libel Against Luther
Similarly, the great German Reformer, Martin Luther, continues to be slandered to this day. Whole websites are dedicated to depicting Luther as an anti-Semite who laid the foundations for the holocaust!

The accusation that Martin Luther was an anti-Semite, responsible for massacres, reveals an ignorance of history. Luther was pro-Christ and he was zealous in evangelism. For decades he lovingly and patiently reached out to the Jewish people in his area with the Gospel. In 1523, Luther accused Catholics of being unfair to Jews in treating them "as if they were dogs". Luther was outraged and declared that such mistreatment made it even more difficult for Jews to convert to Christ.

Luther wrote "I would request and advise that one deal gently with the Jews…if we really want to help them, we must be guided in our dealings with them, not by papal law, but by the Law of Christian love. We must receive them cordially, and permit them to trade and work with us, hear our Christian teaching and witness our Christian life. If some of them should prove stiff-necked, what of it? After all, we ourselves are not all good Christians either."

Fifteen years later, however, the persistent rejection of Christ and repeated blasphemies of those Jewish people in his community, provoked Luther to write: "On the Jews and their Lies." In this pamphlet, Luther wrote against the "madness and blindness that blasphemes Christ" in the Rabbinic teachings. Luther declared that he could not "have any fellowship or patience with obstinate blasphemers and those who defame our dear Saviour." These blasphemies included describing our Lord Jesus Christ as "the bastard son" of "that whore Mary", and even worse. Blasphemy was a civil crime. Luther taught that to tolerate such blasphemy was to share in the guilt for it. Therefore, he proposed measures of "sharp mercy" which included confiscating all Jewish literature which was blasphemous and prohibiting Rabbis to teach such blasphemy.

However, to quote these reactions of Luther without explaining their local context of opposing the repeated blasphemies of Jewish individuals in his community and then to project guilt for the continent-wide, anti-Christian holocaust of World War II upon the great 16th Century Reformer is ludicrous. How can any Christian Reformer of the 16th Century be blamed for the evils perpetrated by humanists (who clearly rejected his teachings) nearly 400 years after his death!

Hitler was a disciple of Nietzsche (the philosopher who declared: "God is dead") - not Luther. Luther was not an anti-Semite. His arguments against Jewish individuals were theological, not biological or cultural. He was speaking out against blasphemy and heresy, not opposing an entire race or nation of people.

It is most disturbing that such a humble and God fearing man, who, against all odds, gave to the church and the world the Bible, freely available in the common tongue; who introduced congregational singing; championed justification by God's Grace, received by faith, on the basis of the finished work of Christ; who stood for sola Scriptura - that Scripture alone is the ultimate authority; and who was so wonderfully used of the Lord to bring about the greatest Biblical Reformation and birth of freedom that the world had ever known, could be the target of such vicious slander.

The Scriptures implore us:

"Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the Law and judges it."
James 4:1

Malice and a Contentious Spirit
There is a disturbing tendency throughout the church, seen regularly in homes where they have "roast pastor for Sunday lunch", to set ourselves up continually as judges of those who are better than us. Many have the gift of criticism and a ministry of discouragement. Few recognise how seriously their casual criticism, of what are often trivial matters, erodes and undermines the ministries of those called of God to service.

"Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander of every kind."
1 Peter 2:1

As the Scripture so plainly shows us, slander of every kind is inseparable from malice, deceit, hypocrisy and envy. (The middle letter of pride is "I", the middle letter of lie is "I", the middle letter of sin is "I", so too the middle letter of Lucifer is "I".) Self centred pride is often at the root of our desire to slander great men and women of the past, and to drag down others whom God has raised up.

Jonathan Edwards, one of America's greatest theologians, and a man most closely associated with the Great Evangelical Awakening, was actually dismissed by his own church for applying Biblical discipline. The elders of his church would not accept his position that unbelievers should not be allowed to participate in The Lord's Supper. In his farewell message, Edwards declared: "…avoid contention. A contentious people will be a miserable people…heat of spirit, evil speaking and things of the like…directly contrary to the spirit of Christianity…watch against a contentious spirit…

Condemning Carey
The father of modern missions, William Carey, and his co-worker, John Marshman, had to endure vicious and unjust criticisms from young new missionaries who came "to help" at the mission base in Serampore, India. Many of these new volunteers actually split from the Serampore mission and spent an inordinate amount of time slandering William Carey and his co-workers (the controversy lasted thirteen years). So much so that the Baptist Missionary Society in England actually turned against William Carey for a time.

Writing of this, Carey said: "the evil they have done is, I fear, irreparable; and certainly the whole might have been prevented by a little frank conversation with either of us; and a hundredth part of that self- denial which I found necessary to exercise for the first few years of the mission would have prevented this awful rupture…but now we are traduced and the church rent by the very men who came to be our helpers…judge for yourselves whether it is comely that a man who has laboriously and disinterestedly served the mission so many years should be arraigned and condemned without a hearing by a few men who have just arrived, one of whom had not been a month in the country before he joined the senseless outcry.

Slandering Samuel Marsden
On a recent speaking tour to Australia, a couple of people commented on my including Samuel Marsden in The Greatest Century of Missions. They frankly admitted that they had never before heard anything good about Samuel Marsden, but only that he was a vicious "hanging judge" and "religious hypocrite".

In fact, Samuel Marsden was a pioneer missionary and founding father of Australia and New Zealand. He was a man who upheld justice impartially, and who diligently preached the Gospel. Throughout his life he remained a humble and generous Christian who laid the foundations for the Christian Church in Australia and New Zealand. Although he came to Australia as a chaplain to the convict colony of New South Wales, the Governor compelled him to also be the magistrate. Combining both demanding vocations in one person involved Marsden in one controversy after another. Samuel tried his utmost to provide for the prisoners, to establish a school for orphans, and to right the wrongs suffered by Aborigines.

His attempts to uphold principles of justice placed his life in danger and he endured many threats to his life. On one occasion, he travelled to England to call the attention of the government to the unacceptable conditions and to secure intervention. He presented these grievances to King George III himself.

Samuel Marsden had a great missionary vision which also extended to bringing the Gospel of Christ to the cannibals of New Zealand. Despite vicious disputes between some of the missionaries answerable to him, and relentless criticism, Samuel Marsden conducted the first public worship service in New Zealand, interceded between two warring tribes, and introduced education, standards of justice, and law and order to the country.

It was his sad experience to continually be a victim of malicious and unfounded charges throughout his time in Australia. His fearless denunciation of sin made him numerous enemies, but the Lord vindicated Samuel Marsden. Within 31 years of his first service in New Zealand, 98% of the Maoris had embraced Christianity

Harrassing Hudson Taylor
In 1865, Hudson Taylor prayed for 24 "willing, skilful labourers" for his new China Inland Mission. Willing and skilful they may have been, but four of these new recruits also brought dissension and controversy. Soon these dissidents had poisoned the fellowship with their increasing bitterness and resentment. After two years of backbiting and disruption, Hudson Taylor had to dismiss the ringleader, Louis Nicole, from the mission. Other troublemakers left with him.

More unrelenting slander and lies undermined the work of the China Inland Mission. One of the accusations against Hudson Taylor was that he was "too familiar with the young ladies." Hudson and Maria Taylor kissed some of the girls on the forehead before they went off to bed. The ladies themselves denied any inappropriate behaviour, but still the complaint reached London, and for a time led to a fall in support for the mission.

As Hudson Taylor wrote: "If the Spirit of God works mightily, we may be sure that the spirit of evil will also be active." The China Inland Mission was engulfed in opposition, dissension, controversy, fire and death from the beginning. Their mission house in Yangchow was attacked and set on fire. Furious persecution engulfed them. Storms of criticism and controversy erupted. However, in spite of constant controversies, the number of CIM missionaries grew, in time becoming the largest mission organisation in the world. By the end of Hudson's long life, the very mission organisations that had belittled and ridiculed his methods had begun adopting many of them.

Presumed Guilty
On his Zambezi expedition, pioneer missionary explorer David Livingstone was afflicted by interpersonal conflicts amongst his team leading to everyone abandoning him in the field, even his own brother Charles. By the time he returned to England seven years later, Livingstone found that his disgruntled ex-co-workers had so spread an ill report against him, that no-one even came out to welcome him back. He was ostracised. Presumed guilty without even a chance to defend himself.

From Outcasts to Textbooks
The greatest Baptist preacher of all time, Charles Spurgeon, was actually the target of vicious and slanderous attacks by the Baptist Union of his day. Now his books are textbooks of Baptist colleges and his statue stands outside the Baptist Union headquarters.

George Whitefield, one of the greatest evangelists of all time and a key figure in the Great Evangelical Awakening, was actually excluded from the Church of England that he had served so faithfully. Today the Church of England in South Africa has named its college after George Whitefield.

A Price of Success
Dr James Kennedy in his book, Delighting God, writes "if you rise just a little bit above the common herd, if you achieve just a modicum more success than your neighbours, most surely those barbs of criticism are going to be shot your way.

"To avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing, be nothing." "There is no defence against reproach - except obscurity."

Delighting God quotes one wise old man "if I tried to read, much less answer all the criticisms made of me, and all the attacks levelled against me, this office would have to be closed to all other business. I do the best I know how, the very best I can, and I mean to keep on doing this, down to the very end. If the end brings me out all wrong, ten angels swearing I had been right would make no difference. If the end brings me out alright, then what is said against me now will not amount to anything."

An Opportunity to Glorify God
There is no doubt that adversity builds character. A faith that can't be tested, can't be trusted. Smooth seas do not make skilful sailors.

But unjustified criticism is still better than flattery - and less dangerous! We can always benefit - even from the most unbalanced criticism. What man means for evil, God can use for good. (Genesis 50:20)

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

Such trials should drive us to prayer, humble us and deepen our devotional life as we search the Scriptures and ask: "What is God saying to me through this?"

It can also enable us to empathise with and comfort others who suffer such injustices.

Christians suffering unjust criticism should find opportunities to glorify God and to witness for Christ. Ultimately, God's opinion and approval is the only One that counts. It is He whom we should continually be seeking to please.

And one thing that Christ requires is that we forgive those who sin against us - unconditionally, wholeheartedly. We who have been forgiven much should love much.

"Blessed are you when men hate you and when they exclude you, and revile you and cast out your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy. For indeed your reward is great in heaven, for in like manner their fathers did to the prophets…Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets."
Luke 6:22-2

It’s Not The Critic That Counts
As United States President Theodore Roosevelt wrote:
"It is not the critic that counts
nor the man who points out how the strong man stumbled;
nor where the doer of deeds could have done better.
The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena;
whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood;
who strives valiantly;
who errs and comes short again and again;
who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions
and spends himself in a worthy cause;
who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and;
who at worst, if he fails, at least fails while doing greatly,
so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls
who know neither victory nor defeat!"

A Test of Character
Everything in life is a test of character. Extreme situations expose and bring out the best, or the worst, in people. A person's character is accurately measured by their reaction to unfairness or bad treatment. The measure of a person's character can be seen by the size of those things which upset him. The true flavour of a tea bag is only tasted after it has been placed in hot water, and so it is with ourselves. Our reputation is what men think we are. Our character is what God knows we are. And this is only revealed under extreme crisis situations.

So, when troubles and tribulations come, when you are insulted, excluded, reviled and mistreated, do what our Lord Jesus commanded; "rejoice in that day and leap for joy!"

On the other hand;

"Woe to you when all men speak well of you…"
Luke 6:26

Dr. Peter Hammond

Livingstone Fellowship
P.O. Box 74
Newlands 7725
Cape Town
South Africa
Tel: 021-689-4480
Email: mission@frontline.org.za
Email: info@ReformationSA.org
Website: www.FrontlineMissionSA.org
Website: www.ReformationSA.org
Website: www.hmsschoolofchristianjournalism.org

Books, Audios,Data Disks and boxsets are available from
Christian Liberty Books,
PO Box 358,
Howard Place
7450,
Cape Town,
South Africa,
tel: 021-689-7478,
fax: 086-551-7490,
email: admin@christianlibertybooks.co.za
and
website: www.christianlibertybooks.co.za
Prices exclude postage.

]]><![CDATA[Ministries of Malice]]>Wed, 15 Sep 2010 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.livingstonefellowship.co.za/character-assassins/ministries-of-malice

"The tongue is also a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire and is itself set on fire by hell."
James 3:6

All of us, at one time, or another, have been guilty of gossip. Yet, it is sin. God takes gossip seriously. The Ninth Commandment is there for a very good reason.

The Bible says that:
"Whoever spreads slander is a fool…"
Proverbs 10:18.

We are commanded:
" Brothers, do not slander one another"
James 4:11.

Pastors are to
" remind the people …to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility towards all men."
Titus 3:1-2.

To spread stories that put someone else in a bad light is the very opposite to being “peaceable and considerate.” It is also the very opposite of humility.

Pride often is the engine which drives the gossip industry. It is a desire to portray people better than us in a bad light, to lift ourselves up by pulling others down.
"Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander of every kind."
1 Peter 2:1.

Slander is inextricably linked with malice, deceit, hypocrisy and envy.

Idlers, Gossips and Busybodies
The Bible warns us of those who

"get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to"
1 Thessalonians 5:13.

"We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies."
2 Thessalonians 3:11.

" In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle…"
2 Thessalonians 3:6.

It is noteworthy that most of those engaged in a ministry of criticism have an abundance of spare time. Those who are wholeheartedly engaged in the work of the Great Commission, who are diligent in raising their children in the fear of the Lord, and have productive employment, do not have the time to be busybodies and talebearers.

Numerous of those who have commissioned themselves as professional busybodies with a ministry of criticism are retired people with government or military pensions, or an assured income of one sort or another. They may be single people who have never been married. They certainly do not have family responsibilities or children to raise. Such people would not have the time it takes to be a self-appointed investigator, prosecutor, judge, jury and executioner of the targeted minister or missionary.

"He is conceited…he has an unhealthy interest in controversies and arguments that result in envy, quarrelling, malicious talk, evil suspicions."
1 Timothy 6:4.

Meddlers, Murderers and Thieves
"If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal or as a meddler." 1 Peter 4:15. It is very significant that the Bible puts meddlers in the same category as murderers and thieves. In fact, that is exactly what any obsessive antagonist becomes. They steal from other people’s time, they undermine the support bases of ministries, depriving missions of the resources needed to do the Lord's work. They endanger other people's lives. Not only undermining the health of the target of their obsession and the health of his family, but even endangering their lives.

The Law of God is clear:

" Do not go about spreading slander among your people. Do not do anything that endangers your neighbour’s life. I am the Lord."
Leviticus 19:16.

Slander can endanger people's lives.

In Harm's Way
We have seen this in our own mission. For over 30 years I have been involved in ministering to persecuted churches, working in restricted access areas, in communist and Muslim countries, frequently war zones. The dangers in this kind of missionary work cannot be easily exaggerated. In the course of my missionary work in Africa, I have come under fire, artillery and aerial bombardment, and been arrested and imprisoned.

In 1989, shortly after being married, I was captured by communist troops in Mozambique and transported by Soviets in MI-8 HIP helicopters. At that crisis time several South African and Zimbabwean journalists published reports which aggravated the danger.

Media Hatchet Job
"Baptist Minister Most Important RENAMO Backer" screamed one headline from Harare. "Peter Hammond, a Cape Town based Baptist minister captured by FRELIMO last week, is the most important foreign RENAMO sponsor to be caught by Mozambique troops…" The article went on to relate how I was the author of "Eyewitness Testimonies of Persecution and Atrocities" which exposed FRELIMO’s campaign of church burning and massacres in Tete and Zambezi provinces. Other sensational headlines declared: "RENAMO Sponsoring Clergyman Captured" ; "Baptist Minister is FRELIMO’s Top Captive" ; "Missionaries linked to RENAMO" ; "The Curious Missionaries With Combat Experience" ; "Evangelists of the Right Preach a Gospel of Their Own" ; one headline even described us as "Mercenary Priests" .

While I was being interrogated by SNASP secret police at the notorious Machava Security Prison in Maputo, numerous irresponsible articles, most of them originating from Harare, spread speculation and slander which further jeopardised our lives.

I have a letter from the Frelimo Ministry of Justice, Department of Religious Affairs, which warned me that if I ever attempted to come back to Mozambique, they would kill me. This was signed and on an official government letterhead. The reason for this extraordinary threat was clearly stated. It was because of my writing and publishing of the Mozambique Report " Eyewitness Testimonies Of Persecution and Atrocities" (now published as In The Killing Fields of Mozambique ). The media reports, while I was incarcerated in Mozambique, eagerly reported that I was the author of these accounts. Interestingly enough, those same journalists who espouse freedom of speech and decree censorship, were quick to point out that my writings were illegal in Mozambique and openly celebrated my capture!

To Prison with Praise
When I was imprisoned in Lusaka Central Prison, in Zambia, in 1987, South Africa was in conflict with the socialist government of Kenneth Kaunda. Many of the landmines and car bombs which were killing people in South Africa at that time, were coming through Lusaka. South African military units were conducting raids on terrorist bases in Zambia, and tensions were high. Nevertheless, when I, and three other Frontline missionaries, were arrested and imprisoned, there were still those who went out of their way to ensure that the Security Police had copies of various articles which I had written against communism and communist regimes, as well as my connections with the RENAMO and UNITA anti-communist Resistance movements in neighbouring Mozambique and Angola, as well as my military connections with the South African Defence Force.

I was stripped and thrown into a stinking cell covered in human filth with a multitude of flying, crawling and biting insects, deprived of water throughout the night. Then after a sleepless night in their vile sewer of a cell I was dragged before the interrogators - only to see a variety of my writings on the table before them!

Expect to be Bombed
The dangers of ministering behind the lines in the officially Islamic Sudan, were intense. A UN security official warned me that there were helicopter gunships stationed in Juba, and if we attempted to take off with Bibles in our aircraft, we would be blown out of the sky. Much of the areas we operated in were no-go areas with a shoot-on-sight policy. The Nuba Mountains at that time were a no-fly zone . One of our teams were strafed by Mi-24 HIND helicopter gun ships on arriving in the Nuba Mountains.

At one church service my sermon was interrupted by an artillery bombardment. On another occasion, on a Sunday morning, in church, we were bombed by the Sudan Air Force. The community which included the Frontline Fellowship mission base and school was also repeatedly subject to aerial bombardment, by high flying Antanovs and low flying MiG-23s.

The Sudan government’s hostility for Christian missionaries in general, and of myself in particular, was highlighted when the official government of Sudan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, website posted an article " Why Churches In Sudan Are Not Bombed" wherein it plainly stated that " Peter Hammond should expect to be bombed when he comes to Sudan" , " he should expect to be shot on sight!" The article even gave a reason as to why I should expect this kind of special treatment: " because his writings make him an enemy of the government of Sudan."

There are Those who Would Like to Kill You
Nevertheless, there have been several Christians who have threatened to pass on information that would endanger our work there. Some have actually done just that. When Bishop Bullen Dolli and I were detained in Yei, we were informed that an ex-Frontline Fellowship missionary was behind many of the accusations. Several people, including soldiers, warned the Bishop and I not to go to Yei. They were convinced that our lives would be in jeopardy there. " You have many enemies in Yei. There are those who would like to kill you" we were told by different people in different ways.

The interrogators informed us that they had been told that Bishop Bullen and I were in touch with the Khartoum government; we were arming the Moru people to revolt against the Dinka leadership of the SPLA; to separate Moruland from the rest of the liberated new Sudan; to invite the Arabs back into Moruland and to cause a split in the SPLA.

"…he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander; then he goes out and spreads it abroad. All my enemies whisper against me; they imagine the worst…"
Psalm 41:6-7

There were fears expressed about our safety. Security at the compound we were staying at was increased. Tribal tensions between the Dinka cattlemen and the Moru farmers was exacerbated by the incessant accusations of some foreigners.

"These accusations are coming from your people" I was told.

"What do you mean, 'my people'?" I asked.

"It's coming from white people."

"Well" I said. “Not all white people are the same. They certainly cannot be called 'my people', if they are so against missionaries.”

"These are your brothers," I was told. "These are people who call themselves Christians, even missionaries. They use to work for you!"

Every day more details of the incredible accusations and intricate plot were revealed. The interrogators told us that a disgruntled ex-Frontline Fellowship worker, whom I had dismissed, was one of the main people making these accusations.

"Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me."
Psalm 41:9

Some of the church people connected with us were severely interrogated, two men, Joseph and Dominique, were whipped with over 75 lashes each.

Even when our interrogators concluded that we were innocent of all the charges, and informed us that we were free to go, we were warned that there were serious threats to assassinate the Bishop and I. There was concern that a petrol bomb or grenade would be thrown over the fence of our huts that very night, and that we would shot down while fleeing from our burning tukuls .

"For I hear the slander of many… they conspire against me and plot to take my life."
Psalm 31:13

Their Main Purpose in Life is to Discredit You
We were informed: "Your accusers are tireless, it seems that their main purpose in life is to discredit you and the Bishop. Every day there are new accusations. This man that you dismissed from your mission has been in the public security office, even this morning, handing over more papers, with accusations and information to use against you. Some of your investigators are most concerned that should you be released, the threat to your life would increase. There are those Dinka commanders who have been influenced by your accusers so much that they would kill you out of hand."

"…if a foe were raising himself against me …but it is you. my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship."
Psalm 55:12-13

"Surely we could be provided with an escort?" I asked.

"There is no escort that would be sufficient to protect you from the kind of people who are determined to have you killed," I was informed.

"Your tongue plots destruction. It is like a sharpened razor, you practise deceit. You love evil…falsehood…and grew strong by destroying others."
Psalm 52:2-7

Perhaps you find it hard to believe that there are Christians involved in missions who would deliberately endanger the lives of fellow Christians. Yet the Bible warns us:

" Beware of your friends; do not trust your brothers. For every brother is a deceiver, and every friend a slanderer."
Jeremiah 9:4

You may, like myself, wonder how this could be possible. How could a Bible believing, born-again Christian engage in such a malicious campaign as to place the lives of fellow Christians in such danger? I have been a Christian for 35 years, and I first entered fulltime missionary work 33 years ago. For the last 30 years I have been a mission leader responsible for the selection, training and supervision of missionary volunteers and for relationships with leaders of other ministries. In that time, any misconceptions that I ever had about the basic goodness of man, if not in the world then at least in missions, has been shattered. Instead I have seen enough examples, even in missions, to support the Reformation doctrine of the total depravity of man.

The Depravity of Man
I have seen several mission volunteers misappropriate mission property, even taking mission vehicles when they left. We have had volunteers not only highjacking vehicles, but even ministries and accounts. Others have utilised mission computers to access Internet pornography.

When I’ve been compelled to confront and deal with some of these outrages, it has not been uncommon to have the person concerned lie and deny, or even to explode with foul language and assault. One individual even cursed and swore, physically attacking me, declaring for the entire mission house to hear that he intended to kill me!

Some have left quietly, and taken up the role of the pathological antagonist, working like termites to undermine the support base and poison the relationships of the Mission. One such individual, who was dismissed for disgraceful conduct, actually published a newsletter where he claimed that after much prayer and seeking the leading of the Holy Spirit , he had decided to leave our mission.

"Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is the man who gives false testimony against his neighbour."
Proverbs 25:18

In dealing with guests from other ministries, we have sometimes been horrified by dishonest and unethical practices and claims. Some who have merely participated on one field trip with our Mission, had gone back to make incredibly extravagant claims in their fundraising letters. One launched an entire ministry with an impressive marketing campaign based entirely on false claims and plagiarism. Pretending responsibility for the Frontline Fellowship shipments and ministry activities in Sudan, one individual, who was merely a junior member of a large team with no significant ministry role, later claimed to have been the leader of the entire operation, quoting all our statistics of the Bibles delivered, ministry conducted, flights chartered, as his own!

Another individual, who came in on one Frontline Fellowship mission trip to Sudan and participated in the first few days of one of our teacher training courses, leaving early, later claimed to have set up a couple of dozen schools in our area, requesting funds for his staff there. Needless to say, none of the teachers or pastors in the area were aware of any such activity.

Another very embarrassing situation arose when a friend in another ministry, which we had invited to participate in an upcoming conference in Zambia, widely circulated claims that they had been invited by the President of Zambia, and that the entire Zambian cabinet and Parliament would be attending this conference, at which the President and Vice-President were also going to be speaking!

As we were the ones organising this conference, I was deluged with enquiries from mutual friends and supporters wanting to know more. One person made a very astute observation: If the Zambian government has invited this ministry to conduct this conference, then why were they needing to raise funds for the venue, advertising, etc.? Indeed, why was Frontline Fellowship having to organise a conference venue, accommodation, catering, advertising, or even the programme, if this was an official government event?

On other occasions I have been approached by ministries to engage in activities which we consider unethical. One wanted me to open up an orphanage. "We are a leadership training and literature mission. Orphanages are high maintenance operations. It’s not our calling or focus" I explained. "I'll give you $10 000" he replied. "It will cost a lot more than that to run an orphanage" I responded. "Oh, you don’t need to actually run an orphanage. Just give me a picture of a crowd of children outside some building with our name on a board!"

The Slave Redemption Industry
At one time redeeming slaves in Sudan was very popular. A number of friends and colleagues of mine were involved in the Slave Redemption programme. I did not want to question their sincere and good motives. However, my position was that we could not, in good conscience, be involved in placing money into the hands of Arab slave traders, or facilitators. I am convinced that it is both unethical and counterproductive to engage in such commerce.

To give a slave trader (or intermediary) money is to provide them with the very reward they desire. Well-meaning Westerners eager to redeem slaves with money provide further impetus for slave traders to capture more slaves. Because of the laws and supply and demand, as there is an increase in demand, so too will there be an increase in supply.

There is no doubt that there has been widespread slavery in Sudan. This has been done not only with the knowledge of the National Islamic Front government of Sudan, but has in fact been encouraged by them. Slavery in Sudan has been used both as a weapon of terror to destabilise the South and as an economic incentive to induce Arab soldiers to go South to wage Jihad against the infidel. The Muslim soldiers and militias have enriched themselves with loot and with slaves.

The question we need to ask is whether, after all the many tens of thousands of slaves who have been redeemed, there is a net decrease in the number of slaves in Sudan? Are the Arab masters now doing their own work in the fields? Are the Arab madams doing their own work in the kitchens now? Are the slave harems now empty? Are Slave Redeemers actually improving the situation, or merely placing a large amount of currency in the hands of enemies of the Gospel?

Most of the slave redeemers have not spoken either Arabic or Dinka, and have been wholly dependent upon a single interpreter in country. Most have flown in for the day and did not even spend the night on site. Knowing human nature, and the inevitable temptations to corruption, it is a strong possibility that many of the well-meaning redeemers were actually being deceived. Numerous reports were received of people being redeemed who had not even been slaves in the first place, but part of a deception to separate well-meaning foreigners from their money. On other occasions slaves redeemed could have been re-captured by slave traders later.

William Wilberforce fought the slave trade for all his life, successfully, without putting money in the hands of slave traders. David Livingstone and General Charles Gordon successfully fought against the slave trade in Africa, without, in any way, rewarding slave traders.

I am convinced that we need to combat the slave trade, in every way possible, including by publications, economic and political pressure, and even direct action on the ground, without engaging in the actually commerce of putting money in the hands of any slave trader.

Well, this was a very unpopular position for Frontline Fellowship to take. We lost a significant amount of financial support over our unwillingness to engage in the Slave Redemption programme. Several ministries even used our photographs, video footage, stories and statistics, in their fundraising campaigns to support the Slave Redemption programme.

Africa's Forgotten War
When I first started working in Sudan and writing and speaking about the persecution of Christians in Southern Sudan and the Nuba Mountains, there were very few Christian ministries involved there. Most Christians were not aware that the largest country in Africa was involved in the longest war still raging, with the oldest community of Christians in Africa suffering some of the worst persecution in the world today. Through hundreds of radio and TV programmes, scores of articles and the publication of the Faith Under Fire In Sudan book, the news blackout on the colossal conflict in Sudan started to be lifted.

As we exposed and publicised the Scorched Earth tactics, systematic terror bombings of civilian targets and research of the slave trade in Sudan numerous ministries began to get interested in this neglected field. Some lifted whole articles and photographs from our Mission and presented them to their supporters as their own. One individual even launched an entire ministry based on a video documentary on Sudan which we had helped a Christian film ministry to produce. On his website he claimed to have lead the mission trip on which he was just a guest with no specific responsibilities. Even the tons of Bibles which we had organised for almost a year he claimed had been provided by his ministry - which hadn’t even been in existence at that stage.

Endangering Christians
Even more seriously than the false claims and plagiarism on his website, by having obtained a copy of the broadcast master of the video before we had checked it, he began circulating and selling a version of the video which included numerous factual errors and serious security breaches. When I agreed to take the film producer into Sudan, it was on the basis of a written agreement that I would have the opportunity to correct any factual errors or security breaches which could endanger our Mission before the film was released.

In the wake of the premature release of this uncorrected version, every location of our Mission activity in the South identified in the video was repeatedly bombed. This included the hospital, cathedral, school, mission base, and chaplains training centre. In fact, I was leading an Evangelism Explosion training team at just one of those locations when we were bombed on Sunday morning at the church.

The community which included the Frontline Fellowship mission base, high school and chapel was bombed ten times. The Samaritans Purse Hospital and the Cathedral at Lui was also bombed ten times. Yet, repeated attempts to persuade the individual to delete the security breaches from his version of the video were unsuccessful. Instead, he started to threaten legal action against both the film producer and ourselves for using what he now considered his video.

"God will bring every deed into judgement, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil."
Ecclesiastes 12:14

Friendly Fire
Another man whom we supported for many years, introducing and promoting him to many of our key supporters, adopted many of the grievances of several of these individuals mentioned and circulated these slanders to many of our supporting churches, several of which we had introduced him to.

"Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent – the Lord detests them both."
Proverbs 17:15

Much of this falls into the category of Christian Friendly Fire . Shooting your own side. You expect to be shot at by the enemy. What you do not expect is to be targeted by your own side. In the American War Between The States, at the battle of Chancellorsville, the brilliantly successful Confederate General Stonewall Jackson was shot by his own side. When Jackson died as a result of these wounds, inflicted by friendly fire , the cause of the Confederates was doomed.

Many military historians are of the opinion that had Stonewall Jackson been alive at the critical Battle of Gettysburg, the Confederates would have won. Up until that time the army of Virginia had won every battle. However, at Gettysburg, Lee’s generals failed to secure the high ground on the first day. Jackson, had he been there, would have fulfilled Lee’s orders and secured the high ground. That night the Union forces moved in and began to entrench themselves on the high ground. Even at that point, Stonewall Jackson would have moved to outflank them or retire to choose to fight on ground more favourable to them.

His successors, however, went into the same kind of trap Lee and Jackson had set for the Union forces at Fredericksburg. The devastating result of Pickett’s charge - courageous but futile - cost the South the war.

The consequences of friendly fire to this day continue to be devastating to the cause of fulfilling the Great Commission.

Dr. Peter Hammond

Livingstone Fellowship
P.O. Box 74
Newlands 7725
Cape Town
South Africa
Tel: 021-689-4480
Email: mission@frontline.org.za
Email: info@ReformationSA.org

Books, Audios,Data Disks and boxsets are available from
Christian Liberty Books,
PO Box 358,
Howard Place
7450,
Cape Town,
South Africa,
tel: 021-689-7478,
fax: 086-551-7490,
email: admin@christianlibertybooks.co.za
and
website: www.christianlibertybooks.co.za
Prices exclude postage.

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