3 John 1:9-11 WEB I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn’t accept what we say. 10 Therefore if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words. Not content with this, neither does he himself receive the brothers, and those who would, he forbids and throws out of the assembly. 11 Beloved, don’t imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of God. He who does evil hasn’t seen God.
Diotrephes was the pastor/elder/teacher of this church.
Diotrephes had a controlling personality.
Diotrephes lies.
Diotrephes is inhospitable.
Diotrephes stops others from being inhospitable.
Diotrephes excommunicates true believers.
Diotrephes is evil.
Diotrephes has not seen God.
The devil works hard to get his people into positions of authority in churches. The main personality trait of this type of preacher(?) is controlling. If a pastor demands unquestioned loyalty, then you NEED, MUST leave. This type of pastor(?) is a fake and abusive.
Some points on sociopaths and psychopaths by Brandon Smith
1. Narcissistic sociopaths believe themselves to be entitled to special treatment and see themselves as above the laws and niceties of normal society.
2. Narcissistic sociopaths and psychopaths are stricken with visions of assumed greatness.
a) They don’t care about proving their greatness.
b) They only care that people believe that they are special, that they are anointed.
3. They want people to hand them adoration and control automatically. But if they don’t get what they want as a matter of course, they will use any means at their disposal.
4. They are also devoid of empathy and conscience.
5. They want is for the lowly masses to voluntarily accept their greatness as absolute, as an obvious and undeniable fact of life. What they want is reverence and devotion. As mentioned earlier, they want to be treated as gods by the people around them.
6. An important part of archetypal or inborn knowledge and traits is the notion of good and evil; we are born understanding that certain behaviors are constructive while others are destructive and abhorrent. Unfortunately, not all people are born with conscience. In some people, the difference between good and evil or constructive and destructive behavior is blurry or non-existent.
7. High level narcissists and sociopaths are physically human of course, but if we were to peer in at a visual representation of their psyche, we would find a barren wasteland — a place where ghouls lurk. They do not dream as normal people dream. They do not feel joy in the manner normal people do. They do not feel fulfillment in the things that commonly lift up the rest of us. They are incapable of love for others. They are incapable of regret beyond their own failures to get what they want. They do not see other people as individuals, they see them as tools to be exploited.
8. Being sociopathic though does not mean that they are ignorant of what makes the rest of us function. On the contrary, sociopaths are very good at identifying the personal desires and drives of others, and mimicking people in a way that makes them seem “human.” They are parasites by nature,and thus they have to be able to get close to their host victims if they are to survive.
Another article by Brandon Smith, How People Become Easily Controlled by Tyrants, is also a good read.
Searching under the topics “abusive behavior,” “narcissist,” “traits of a sociopath,” “what is a controlling pastor personality.” You will get many hits.
I found this on Facebook:
Signs of a Sociopath
1. Superficial charm
2. Untruthful and manipulative
3. Egocentric
4. Devoid of remorse or empathy
5. Seeks to dominate and win at all costs
6. Expert story teller
7. Presents himself heroically with high morals and philosophy
8. Incites emotional chaos
9. Feigns love to get what they want
10. Never apologizes
If your pastor is being described, leave, and pray that he leaves. He is destroying people’s souls.
Some other verses about these evil pastors:
1. John 12:43 (WEB) for they loved men’s praise more than God’s praise.
2. Luke 20:46 (WEB) “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts;
3. Jude 1:16 (WEB) These are murmurers and complainers, walking after their lusts (and their mouth speaks proud things), showing respect of persons to gain advantage.
4. 1 Kings 1:5 (WEB) Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will be king.” Then he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.
5. 2 Peter 2:13 (WEB) receiving the wages of unrighteousness; people who count it pleasure to revel in the daytime, spots and blemishes, reveling in their deceit while they feast with you.
6. 1 Peter 5:2-3 GW Be shepherds over the flock God has entrusted to you. Watch over it as God does: Don't do this because you have to, but because you want to. Don't do it out of greed, but out of a desire to serve. 3 Don't be rulers over the people entrusted to you, but be examples for the flock to follow. [Bold is my emphasis].
a) On this passage, Vincent’s Word Studies, has this note: As lording it (κατακυριεύοντες) See Mat 20:25; Act 19:16. Other words are used for the exercise of legitimate authority in the church: προΐ́σταμαι, to be over (1Th 5:12; 1Ti 5:17); ποιμαίνω, as 1Pe 5:2, tend. But this carries the idea of high-handed rule.
b) Likewise, the Cambridge Bible Commentary states: The word for “lording” implies an authority exercised both wrongfully and oppressively. Ambition, the love of power for the sake of power, is, from the Apostle’s standpoint, as great a hindrance to true pastoral work as avarice.
God does judge sin and sinning pastors (Diotrephes pastors).
1. Psalm 145:20 NLT - The LORD protects all those who love him, but he destroys the wicked.
2. Proverbs 10:29 NLT - The way of the LORD is a stronghold to those with integrity, but it destroys the wicked.
3. Jude 1:12-13 WEB These are hidden rocky reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you, shepherds who without fear feed themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; 13 wild waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the blackness of darkness has been reserved forever.
Some links that give more points and explain the points differently:
1. He surrounds himself with “yes” people
2. Critics are isolated
3. Loyalty is prized over diversity
4. Refusing accountability
5. Leading by force of personality
6. Refusing to believe anything is wrong
Has Covert Narcissistic Personality
Disorder
