The Misery of Legalism

The following video is fairly graphic, so if you're squeamish, you might want to pass on watching it.


This scene is from the movie, Misery, starring Kathy Bates and James Cann. Cann's character, Paul Sheldon has just completed his latest novel in the same Colorado lodge where he finishes all his books. As he is driving back to town along a desolate mountain road, a blizzard strikes, and his car hits a slippery patch and crashes down an embankment, turning over several times before resting upside down.

Luckily, Annie Wilkes, who lives on a nearby farm, witnesses the crash and pries Sheldon from the wreckage with a crowbar. A former nurse, she takes him home and splints his two shattered legs and broken arm. Throughout the rest of the movie, Sheldon is bed-ridden and crippled, which increases his peril and the film’s tension.

Annie Wilkes, she informs him, is his number one fan. She has read all his books, which center on a beautiful Southern belle named Misery Chastain. Wilkes feels blessed by God, because He sent her to rescue Sheldon so he can write more Misery books. He soon learns that all is not well as it appears to be at first. In this scene, Annie smashes his ankles with a large sledge hammer just after telling him that she loves him. (That's what this clip depicts.)

Some may think that I'm overstating my case, but I think this story is a good picture of what legalism does to people. Like Annie Wilkes "ministry" to Paul Sheldon, legalistic ministry typically exists in a culture of pseudo-love. Everything is done for the good of the one who is victimized. On the surface, it appears that they are being cared for when, in reality, they are being controlled.

If they should try to stray too far from conformity to "the rules of the house," they will be hobbled, all in the name of love. Many a Christian has suffered the religious abuse of legalistic ministry. As a result, they can't enjoy a grace walk anymore but have been crippled in the name of love.

I was talking to a lady recently who had been led to believe that she is rebellious because she dared to question those in her church who imagined that they had authority over her. Beware of religious control. We each have the Holy Spirit in us and He will cause us to sense when something isn't exactly right when we find ourselves in Annie Wilkes house. Don't be fooled by the syrupy smile and gentle voice. If you find yourself with Reverend Annie, run. Run now.