Slapped in the Face

Institutional knowledge in any organization, including the church, is invaluable. Without it anyone can come in and assume leadership roles, re-write history, spin their own narrative and lead us astray.  Such was the situation with the Corinthians who were duped by men preaching a different Jesus, putting forth a different spirit and presenting a gospel other than what Paul had given them. Paul said, “You gladly put up with fools since you are so wise! In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or pushes himself forward or slaps you in the face” (2 Cor 11:19-20 NIV). Unfortunately, even mature believers, when they let their guard down, can become fools when we allow ourselves to be exploited, enslaved and slapped in the face by leaders who run amuck.