Recently, my blog commented on the tragic end to Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias. Please read or view part 1 to understand my concerns. In brief, after a spiritually illustrious career defending the faith over 40 years, upon his death it was discovered that Zacharias led a double life. The “other” Zacharias sexually abused countless women in many countries. The cell phone he left behind had sexually explicit photos of more than 200 women. I concluded in Pt. 1 that Zacharias was likely demonized, perhaps afflicted with a curse from his Hindu ancestors in India.
As I have pondered more on this, there are other factors to consider. I’ve watched several of Ravi’s lectures on YouTube. They were masterful displays of love for Christ and His gospel. In one presentation he told the story of a morally hypocritical man and concluded, “We are comfortable to use holiness to judge others, but we are uncomfortable when that same holiness judges us.” How could the man who engaged in rampant fornication say this?
In addition to demons, perhaps he had what I call a highly developed “performing self.” Some in business and entertainment learn to do this. The person on stage or in the conference room is a self-styled caricature performing for fame or profit. Many entertainers say and do things as an act that has little resemblance to their everyday demeanor. Carrying on in that way long enough leads to self-delusion and an inability to separate the morality of the oppositional selves.
If we consider dissociation as an explanation, it is easy to see how Zacharias could have been two completely different people, acting out opposite moral codes. Add in demons, and the potential of becoming a psychopath is very real. I have dealt with thousands of such individuals. Here are some actual cases: the pastor who cross-dressed and preached from the pulpit wearing women’s underclothing; the singer who fantasied about sex with children while he led praise and worship; the evangelist who dealt drugs and himself used meth while laying hands on people for healing and deliverance. As Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.”
If you have another self that is a parody, a mockery of who you claim to be, get help. Confess your evil to a pastor or counselor. Get professional help quickly. Get deliverance even quicker. Schedule an encounter with me online or in-person before the evil of the “other” you destroys your life as it did Ravi Zacharias.
