I perceive a thing...
Guard your hearts because many of the upright are being groomed to slowly embrace higher levels of wickedness disguised as holiness. I pray that those who have been groomed into more dysfunctional lifestyles are able to break free and receive forgiveness and forgive themselves. Groomers tend to initiate using one of the following:
1. Excessive praise or gifts- they see your insecurities, whether it's from feeling unsupported or not having the things or attention you crave. They do it little by little until you crave their opinion, presence or gifts.
2. Inclusivity- You're the special one- the odd ball- the black sheep. They sense it. They include you in the secret meetings, private parties, the ministry masterminds. You feel like you have a voice with them. You feel like you're a part of this exclusive group working on things that "other people don't understand." Everyone outside of that circle seems so beneath your abilities or spirituality so their opinions hold little to no weight.
3. Trauma bonding- I literally hate that term... But nevertheless, it seems that pain is like a magnet or glue. Shared histories or similar disappointments draw you to the "only one who gets me" kind of folks.
I'm sure there's more, but just start here. Where are you now? What are you doing? What about what you're currently doing would you have never considered before? Why? What changed? Who or what were you listening to that led you to where you are now? Do you have moments of feeling, shame, guilt, regret or disappointment in the drastic choices you now embrace? You know, that for most people, not every part of "the old you" was bad, dumb or ignorant. Sometimes a glance back might help you recalibrate where you are and if you should stay there. Who do you despise, disrespect, or loathe now that you used to love, honor and enjoy? What changed?
One thing I've learned about the groomers, ok two things, is that 1. they don't always have full intentions to be that way; they are sometimes under the influence of their own lust and pride- or have been groomed too. 2. When you don't comply to their will or desires, they drop you like a hot cake. All that love, respect and adoration goes out the window in a split second.
My point: Guard your heart- don't let the wicked slow boil you to your spiritual demise. Watch out for those you love. They may not hear you but try anyway. 🙁 If you've found yourself in the clutches of manipulators, get help and get out. It will hurt. You will have to learn to rebuild trust with yourself and others, but don't let fear keep you trapped in a bad situation. People who really love you will work through their pain to forgive and move forward.