Danger in the Local Church
Part 5 
by Dr. John Tetsola

Last month we disclosed how the spirit of disloyalty and betrayal seeks out those who are up front, those who get the most exposure because of their spiritually attractive gifts and level of influence. Let's continue to unveil some of the workings of this spirit. In the previous months, we've already discussed three characteristics or identifiable patterns of this spirit (and that being Unresolved Offense, The Despising of Authority, and the characteristic of usually being Spiritually Appealing). Let's unveil two additional characteristics or identifiable patterns of this Absalom spirit.

Energetic and Active

And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, of what city art thou? And he said, thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.
2 Samuel 15:2
 

This spirit is attracted to energetic and active people. In other words, if you have no spiritual gifting, if you are spiritually unattractive, if you are not seeking promotion, you cannot be influenced by this spirit of betrayal. This spirit looks for and is drawn and attracted to active and energetic people looking for opportunities for promotion. These people are never lazy. They are up early, are the first to church and the last to leave. They have great anointings, good giftings, and are committed to working their gifts. They work really hard for a church, team or business. They are spiritually aggressive and love to take the initiative. That makes them look good to leadership and their peers. Many times they start off right in line with Christ, believing in the leadership, and following the protocol of the house and team, doing all the right things. But notice, like Absalom in 2 Samuel 15:2, they seek a position near the gate and near the government (place of authority and power in the church and on the team) on the access road into the city of God, with an intention to eventually carve out an agenda, a ministry, a church, or a group for themselves from the very men of his father's house. Watch out for ungodly ambition because it will always rest on somebody who looks good.

Winning People by Deception

And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him. And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
2 Samuel 15:5-6

The betrayal spirit draws people by deception. The Absalom spirit seeks to subtly win the hearts of people away from the leader to another authority in the church, ministry or business. The betrayal spirit operates most at eldership level, deacon level, home group level, and worship level. It operates at the levels that have some delegated spiritual authority. In other words, Absalom cannot work unless someone that he is working through has some form of authority, for this spirit does not use a nobody, a sloppy or spiritually unattractive person because he cannot get any influence, and leadership is influence, and not a title. The higher this spirit can go, the more damage it can produce or create. This spirit preys on people who need recognition, and all of us need to be loved. It is inherent in man.

David had recognized Absalom as one of his sons, and kissed him in public and loved him. No one can hurt you or destroy your ministry if you don't kiss them in public and love them. Your kissing them and loving them in public is in itself a public proclamation of your approval on them, their gifting, their anointing and their ability. That, in turn, releases a level of influence on them, and it is that influence, when not dealt with or curtailed, that becomes the very fuel which sparks a betrayal spirit. By kissing a leader and loving him in public, it gives them the power to hurt you. That approval is powerful. It means you recognize what they carry and operate in. The spirit preys on people that need recognition, and when they don't get it, they'll take it, even if they have to take it away from a leader. And it is always under the guise of trying to help the leader, the person or the church. It is never a direct rebellion. It's always disguised as something that sounds nice.

Beware when anyone starts to smother you with love, care, concern and attention who has not been prone to do so before. They are after something. They are after a place or the protection of a position. There is some agenda. It is also possible that someone may be genuinely trying to love you. Don't close up. Be cautious. You can always tell which as the relationship progresses.

by Dr. John A. Tetsola