Cloak and Dagger Persecution
I will freely admit that I like a good spy movie. I am fascinated by international intrigue, secret missions by highly trained agents, and the stories of top secret activities that keeps us safe–even when we don't know about it. But I live in a country which directs its espionage for exactly that reason, to keep me safe. I can hardly imagine what it would be like if the government's agents were coming after me.
That imagination has been reality for North Korean Christians. There, government agents have been sent to "incriminate, arrest, imprison and sometimes execute believers" (Compass Direct News) by infiltrating small churches and prayer groups, posing as Christians, and springing a trap on them. The North Korean government considers religion–and Christianity in particular–to be the number one danger to the state.
That gives a whole new meaning to the warning of Matthew 7:15, which warns us to beware of "ravening wolves" that come in sheep's clothing. Can you even imagine that type of persecution?