I caught you!
It’s the cry of the child, discovering someone hiding under the stairs during a game of hide-and-seek. Or the yell of triumph when a homeowner discovers a dead rat in the jaws of a mousetrap. It’s even a phrase that might come from the mouth of a conman, who’s tricked his victim into handing over some cash.
But, in what circumstances would a minister possibly say, ‘I caught you’?
Yet, like all the other phrases in this series, it is among the apostle Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians. He writes:
Yet, crafty fellow that I am, I caught you by trickery!
2 Cor 12.16 (NIV)
Is this Paul’s big reveal? Is he finally admitting that he’s been manipulating them all along? Sadly, some ministers are indeed guilty of manipulation. Worse still, this often comes to light only when they are exposed by courageous victims rather than by their own admission.
But that’s not what’s happening here. Paul isn’t making a confession. That is clear from the context of his statement. Earlier, he reminded the Corinthians that he’s planning to visit them for a third time and assures them he won’t be a burden to them and does not want their possessions. So, Paul’s statement in verse sixteen is not his confession but the words of some in Corinth who were questioning his actions. The ESV inserts the words ‘you say’ to help us see this.
I was crafty, you say, and got the better of you by deceit.
2 Cor 12.16 (ESV)
Despite all he had sacrificed for them, some believers apparently believed Paul had manipulated them for his own gain. Paul goes on to remind them that he had never taken advantage of their hospitality, nor had any of the others, including Titus, who he had sent to them. Paul was not ‘crafty [panourgos]’. Quite the opposite! He had written, ‘We refuse to practise cunning [panourgia] (2 Cor 4.2).
How painful it is for a servant of God to be wrongly accused of deception and manipulation. Especially when that servant has sacrificed so much for the sake of the gospel. Is any pain known to the human heart worse than betrayal? Yet, Paul’s experience – himself following in the footsteps of his Master, who was betrayed with a kiss – is shared by many faithful ministers today.
Let me absolutely clear. There are ministers who mistreat God’s people, who use them as a means to an end. The word translated ‘crafty’ or ‘cunning’ in 2 Corinthians literally means ‘all deeds’. We might say ‘by any means’. It refers to people who will do whatever it takes to achieve their goals. They often think the end justifies the means. Their vision, usually presented as God’s will, drowns out others’ insights and overrides others’ consciences. They are often arch-pragmatists, caught in a web of self-deception, insisting that they are acting for the greater good when, in reality, they are acting in their own self-interest. Such leaders are like the ‘super apostles’ Paul writes about in 2 Corinthians.
We must be on guard against such behaviour. It must not be tolerated.
However, faithful ministers sometimes face unfair accusations. They are not perfect. None of us are. But they are genuine in their faith in God, their love for those they lead, and their desire to be found faithful when they give account to their Master on the last day. I meet many such people in my work with Living Leadership. It is a privilege to walk with them and encourage them on the way. It is heartbreaking to hear how many have been bruised by people who misjudged them.
Sometimes, there is a kernel of truth in the accusation, but it has been greatly exaggerated. Occasionally a specific incident—for example, a moment of bad temper— has been generalised into a globalising statement: ‘You lack self-control’ or ‘You are intimidating’. Assumed motives are presented in the worst possible light. There is no attempt to see the good. Always there is a lack of grace.
Where are those who will come alongside ministers gently to help them see their weaknesses and grow towards greater holiness? Who will intercede faithfully for them before God’s throne of grace? Where can ministers find a space to be open and transparent about their struggles without fearing graceless condemnation? Living Leadership exists for God’s servants and their families. If God has laid this need on your heart, perhaps you would pray for us, help support us financially, or even volunteer with us?
The apostle Paul called out unfairness among the Corinthians. He did not want to defend himself, but he had to. Sometimes a faithful minister will need to do the same. If so, here are some tips based on Paul’s example:
1. REPEAT THEIR WORDS. Repeating exactly what’s been said about you, as Paul did, allows the words to be examined in the light of day. If the accusations are false or exaggerated, this will often become clear. This also allows the minister to respond in humility with an apology if there is anything that rings true.
2. BE OPEN. Approach accusations with humility. Don’t be tempted to generalise. Instead, admit your specific mistakes along with the ways you could have acted better. Remember that the way you confess your sins and limitations sets an example to others. If you think you need to explain the circumstances around what you did or said, don’t turn those into a justification for your wrongdoing. Rather, make a genuine confession of your limitations as a created being and an imperfect person. Paul was open about his weaknesses. We should be too. At the same time, it is right to affirm the actions you took correctly, yet without defensiveness. Sometimes judgements are simply false or unfair. You should not apologise for what is not wrong. The truth matters.
3. REMIND THEM. Once you’ve confessed any wrongdoing, it’s important to remind others of all that you share together. These are your brothers and sisters. They are your family. You can be honest about your flaws while also talking about your sincere commitment to those you lead.
4. INVOLVE OTHERS. It is better to involve others if the accusations are serious. They can help you gain a fair perspective. They can mirror back to you how you come across, and they might see grains of truth that you’ve missed. They can help you not to act from your insecurities or pride and to keep the issues in proper perspective, neither catastrophising about relatively minor things nor minimising what is major. Paul had co-workers like that. People like Titus, who knew his heart could help in his defence. Make sure you have people to whom you’re accountable. These are people who will know your heart, and whose words in your defence will carry weight. But beware. You may be tempted to involve only those people you know will support you – the ‘yes people’ or the ‘inner ring’. That is another kind of manipulation. You need people who will be committed to what is true above their commitment to you.
These tips are certainly not a fool-proof safeguard against false accusations. They won’t always work. But we must do what we can to be transparent and accountable in ministry. We must renounce all underhand practices and seek to act and speak in the light. We must eschew the powerful lures of self-promotion and self-protection. We must glory in Christ and help one another on our way to godliness.
Brother or sister in ministry, please never reach the point where you have misused or abused God’s people and so need to confess, ‘I caught you!’ And to those aren’t in leadership, may I urge you to encourage the faithful servants of God, and gently help them to be even more faithful.
And to you all, as I close this series from 2 Corinthians, let me remind you of Paul’s closing words in this letter.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
2 Cor 13.14