WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE PREDATOR?

Habakkuk 2:15-17

INTRODUCTION:   

Have you heard of the spitlure frogfish?  It is found in the tropical and subtropical waters of the three major oceans (except for the Eastern Pacific).  It is especially common near Taiwan.  On the top of its head is a wormlike appendage with a jointed base.  When not in use it is rolled up to one side of the dorsal fin but in action it waves around so that it looks like a juicy worm.  The moment a likely victim comes near to investigate the predatory fish swallows it in one gulp.

Not all the predators are in the sea.  Jeffrey Dahmer.  Ted Bundy.  Hannibal Lecter.  These are the predators whose stunning lack of conscience we see in the movies and in tabloids.  Yet predators, both male and female, haunt the everyday lives of everyday people at work, at home, and in relationships.

Dateline NBC has televised more than ten segments of their “To Catch a Predator” specials hosted by Chris Hansen.  In these reality TV shows, undercover agents pose as underage teens chatting with sexual predators on the internet.  Time and again, predators from every walk of life imaginable come to the home of the decoy and walk into the glare of the television lights.  I do not want to be an alarmist but surely this illustrates that predators are all around us.

In Habakkuk 2:15-17, the prophet tackles an issue we often do not acknowledge, much less address: the problem of predators.  Because this is a problem we rarely acknowledge and the church hardly ever addresses, this sermon will be different from most you will have heard; and different from any I have ever preached.

First and foremost, let’s turn to God’s Word in Habakkuk 2:15-17.

^15 “Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbors,

pouring it from the wineskin till they are drunk,

so that he can gaze on their naked bodies.

^16 You will be filled with shame instead of glory.

Now it is your turn! Drink and be exposed!

The cup from the Lord’s right hand is coming around to you,

and disgrace will cover your glory.

^17 The violence you have done to Lebanon will overwhelm you,

and your destruction of animals will terrify you.

For you have shed man’s blood;

you have destroyed lands and cities and everyone in them.

We often think of predators as pedophiles who use the internet to lure children into their lair.  That is a form of predatory behavior but there are others as well.  Today, we are going to mention the unmentionable. 

I.                    THE TARGETS OF THE PREDATOR

The targets of the predators are the vulnerable…and no one is more vulnerable than the average decent, trusting person.  According to Dr. Martha Stout in her book The Sociopath Next Door, "a person who has no conscience can instantly recognize someone who is decent and trusting" and "the shameless know us much better than we know them." 

Predators have the uncanny ability to spot kind and caring people as people who are vulnerable. 

§         It could be a person living alone and not having anyone to talk to

§         It could be a person who cares - about family, friends, work or other people

§         It could be a person with integrity who is unwilling to compromise

§         It could be a person with a well-developed sense of guilt. 

Predators look for people who have weaknesses they can exploit…and we all have weaknesses.  Predators look for people with vulnerabilities and we are all vulnerable at some points.

Predators look for people who will assume more than their fair share of responsibility and guilt because they are easy to manipulate by shaming and blaming.

Predators look for people who are lonely or people who need emotional support, elderly people or those who have been recently hurt or victimized.  They look for anyone they can use for their own personal gratification.

In short, predators look for the vulnerable: emotionally, physically and spiritually.

Predators are great psychologists and are experts at identifying the weaknesses of others.  In fact, that is part of the game for them: to be able to locate the areas of vulnerability and then exploit that.  It is like a hunter stalking his quarry and watching for the right combination of exposure and opportunity so he can pounce.

In our text, the weakness that was exploited was a thirst for intoxicating drink.  The Babylonians gave wine to their neighbors until they were drunk so they could exploit them.  Today, the weaknesses can be loneliness, naivety, guilt, a sense of failure, frustration, financial need or any number of other openings the predator can exploit to his own advantage and for his own satisfaction. 

II.                  THE TOOLS OF THE PREDATOR

The targets of the predator are anyone whom he can use to achieve his own advantage and his own satisfaction.  And the tools of the predator are anything he can use to achieve his own advantage and his own satisfaction.

Since the goals of the predator include control, the tools he uses will be anything he can find to gain control.  It may be alcohol, drugs, money, pity, flattery, promises, shaming and blaming,

According to psychologists there are four messages that the predator communicates:

1.      I like who you are;

2.      I am just like you;

3.      Your secrets are safe with me; and

4.      I am the perfect friend or lover or partner for you.

As a result, predators often make you feel like they are soulmates in a relationship because they project your own persona back to you in their 'assumed' personality.  But that is part of their ploy.  They want to seem like a perfect match so you will drop your guard. 

Dr. Martha Stout in one of her recent books discusses the techniques of the predator - what she refers to as 'the tools of the trade'.  She lists:

Charm – Predators may be among the most charming people you will ever meet with their alluring and captivating ways.  But just remember that term: their captivating ways.

Dr. Stout describes an interview that one of her colleagues conducted with a prisoner. "I sat down and took out my clipboard," she said, "and the first thing this guy told me was what beautiful eyes I had. He managed to work quite a few compliments on my appearance into the interview, so by the time I wrapped things up, I was feeling unusually...well, pretty. I'm a wary person, especially on the job, and can usually spot a phony. When I got back outside, I couldn't believe I'd fallen for a line like that."

Seduction – Predators are often very engaging people who draw others to them and into the snare of their web.

Pity – Predators are not above playing on your sympathies to get their talons into you.  If they can make you feel sorry for them, they can control you for their perverse ends.

Projection – predators will often accuse their target of what the predator himself is feeling or doing.  So a predator who is unfaithful will accuse his or her spouse of infidelity.  A predator who is angry will accuse his victim of being angry.  A predator will often believe that his victim has the same negative traits that he has.

We often think of predators as dirty old men or belligerent bullies who intimidate people to get them to do what they want them to do.  But sometimes, predators are just users who prey on the generosity of well meaning people and take advantage of their kindness.  Someone has said that a good predator can play a concerto on anyone’s heartstrings. 

Predators try to blame their victims for what happens.  If his wife hadn’t nagged so much, he wouldn’t have beaten her.  If the kids hadn’t whined so much, she wouldn’t have locked them in cages.  If the baby hadn’t cried so much, they wouldn’t have shaken her.  She was being seductive.  He gave me the drugs and alcohol.  Doesn’t it seem a little bit like another scenario with which you are familiar?  “The woman you put here with me – she gave me some of the fruit from the tree and I ate it.  It is your fault, God.”  “The serpent deceived me and I ate.  You made the serpent and the darned snake tricked me.  It’s not my fault.”

In short, the predator will use anything he can to achieve his own advantage and his own satisfaction.

III.                THE TAMING OF THE PREDATOR

Having mentioned the unmentionable, we must address what can be done to tame the predator.  There are steps that can be taken to protect yourself from the assault of these users.

First of all, you must recognize what predators are like.  That is why I’ve taken so much time to describe them and their tools.  Furthermore, you should know that they consider themselves to be victims but they keep victimizing others and using other people to meet their own unfulfilled and inappropriate needs.  They get off on power so DO NOT get into a power struggle with them.

Second, realize what you are like.  Do a sober and uncensored self-assessment.  If you are honest with yourself, you may have to admit that you may be vulnerable to being a victim.  But likewise, if you are candid with yourself, you may have to admit that you may be tempted to be a predator.  So set firm ground rules and do not violate them no matter how attractive the temptation.

Remember the fate of predators.    God told Habakkuk that those who prey on others will become prey to God’s judgment.  God will not allow the cause of oppressed to go unrequited for eternity.  His righteous judgment is certain and sure.

CONCLUSION:      

Eugene Monroe Bartlett was born in Missouri on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1885.  Bartlett wrote the words and music to many very popular hymns and gospel songs including "Camping In Canaan's Land," "Everybody Will Be Happy Over There" and "Jesus Opened Up The Way."  Just two years before his death in 1941, Eugene M. Bartlett wrote his most popular song: "Victory In Jesus." 

That favorite gospel song contains this powerful stanza:

I heard about his healing,
Of his cleansing pow'r revealing
How he made the lame to walk again
And caused the blind to see
And then I cried "dear Jesus,
Come and heal my broken spirit"
And somehow Jesus came and brought
To me the victory

Have you heard about His healing?

§         If you have been the victim of a predator, know that the Lord is the God of healing.  He will restore what the predator took from you if you come to him.  But know this: God often employs human instruments as his tools for healing so be willing for Him to use the services of a qualified Christian counselor to aid your recovery.

§         And if you’ve been a predator, know that the Lord can bring you healing, too…if you will let Him.  And again, the Lord often employs human instruments as His tools for healing so be willing to seek the services of a qualified Christian counselor and then be bluntly honest with that counselor about your symptoms, your temptations your tendencies.  But be warned, if you do not come to Him for healing, you will appear before Him for judgment.  It is your choice. 

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