Flying Monkeys in the Bible? Yes—and Here's How to Protect Yourself

Jan 12, 2026

Have you ever finally stood up to a toxic person—set a boundary, called out their behavior, or tried to get away from their abuse—only to find that suddenly, people you trusted started coming at you?

Your friends question your story. Your family defends the abuser. People from your church tell you you're being divisive, unforgiving, or too sensitive.

You're not just dealing with one person anymore. You're dealing with an army.

And you're left thinking, "Am I crazy? Why is everyone turning against me?"

If that sounds familiar, you've encountered what psychology calls "flying monkeys."

In this article, I'm going to show you what flying monkeys are, why they're so devastating, how good people get turned into weapons, and how to defend yourself—especially when they're people you love. And we're going to look at what the Bible has to say about this entire dynamic, because Scripture is filled with examples of this exact pattern.

This is a critical topic, especially for those of us who want a biblical perspective.

What Are Flying Monkeys?

Let's start with the basics. The name "flying monkeys" comes from The Wizard of Oz. The Wicked Witch doesn't do her dirty work herself—she sends her winged monkeys to attack Dorothy and her friends.

In narcissistic abuse, flying monkeys are the same thing. They're the narcissist's proxies—people the narcissist uses to carry out their agenda.

Flying monkeys:

Spread gossip
Enforce the narcissist's narrative
Act as spies, messengers, and enforcers
Allow the narcissist to maintain a public image of being innocent, reasonable, or even the victim, while they do the attacking

And here's what makes them so dangerous: they give the narcissist plausible deniability. The narcissist can say, "I didn't do anything. I don't know why everyone's upset with you." Meanwhile, they orchestrated the whole thing.

Flying monkeys are the narcissist's secret weapon, and they're what makes escaping abuse so incredibly difficult.

Why Flying Monkeys Are So Devastating

You might be thinking, "Okay, so flying monkeys spread lies and defend the narcissist. That's frustrating, but why is it so devastating?"

Here's why.

When flying monkeys get involved, you're no longer dealing with a single abuser. You're dealing with compounded abuse.

Think about it like this: you've been wounded in a battle with a narcissist. You're hurt, you're exhausted, and you're trying to find safety. And then, the people you thought were the medics—your friends, your family, your spiritual community—run onto the battlefield. But instead of helping you, they start attacking you too.

That's the second wave of abuse. And for many survivors, it's more traumatic than the original abuse.

Why? Because it's not just abuse anymore—it's betrayal.

It's the pain of being misunderstood, slandered, and abandoned by the very people who should have protected you.

This is when you start to question your own sanity. When a whole group of people is telling you that you're the problem, it's easy to believe them. This is gaslighting on a community scale, and it's profoundly damaging.

It creates a deep sense of isolation and hopelessness, which is exactly what the narcissist wants.

How Good People Become Flying Monkeys

Here's the question a lot of people ask: How do good, well-meaning people become flying monkeys in the first place?

It's often a slow, manipulative process. The narcissist is a master at playing the victim. They'll go to friends, family, or church leaders with a carefully crafted story:

"I'm so worried about her. She's become so bitter and unstable."
"I've tried everything, but he's just so rebellious and won't listen to reason."
"She's trying to destroy my reputation and ministry."

The narcissist creates a smear campaign that paints the real victim as the abuser and themselves as the one who's suffering. They're so convincing, so charismatic, and so good at crying crocodile tears that people believe them.

These people then approach the real victim, not with an open mind, but with the narcissist's narrative already firmly planted. They think they're helping, but they're actually being used as weapons.

Why People Become Flying Monkeys

And here's what's twisted: people become flying monkeys for several reasons, and in a church context, these motivations are often cloaked in very spiritual-sounding language.

Self-Preservation
This is fear. They see how the narcissist treats their target, and they don't want to be next. So they align with the power.
The Rescuer Complex
Some people have a deep need to be the hero. The narcissist plays the victim, and the rescuer swoops in to "help."
Aligning with Power
This is about self-interest. They benefit from staying in the good graces of the narcissist, especially if the narcissist is a leader.
Deception
And finally, some people are genuinely deceived. They trust the narcissist, especially if that person is a charismatic pastor or leader, and they simply cannot believe that person is capable of such evil.

Flying Monkeys in the Bible

The Bible may not use the term "flying monkey," but Scripture is absolutely filled with examples of this exact dynamic. Let me show you two powerful examples.

Example 1: Job's Three Friends

Job was a righteous man who suffered catastrophic loss. His three friends came to "comfort" him. But instead of comforting him, they spent chapters accusing him. They insisted that his suffering must be divine punishment for hidden sin.

These men functioned as flying monkeys for the Accuser. They:

Spread a false narrative
Blamed the victim instead of comforting him
Used theological arguments and spiritual authority to justify their accusations

And here's what's stunning: At the end of the book, God Himself speaks. And He doesn't rebuke Job. He rebukes the friends.

"I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has." — Job 42:7

God's verdict: Those who accuse the innocent, even with religious language and theological arguments, are speaking falsehood and are under God's anger.

Example 2: The Crowd at Jesus' Trial

Pilate recognized that Jesus was innocent and tried to release Him. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to demand Barabbas and crucify Jesus. The same crowd that had praised Jesus days earlier now screamed for His death.

This is flying monkey behavior on a massive scale. The crowd was:

Manipulated by religious authority figures
Lost individual moral judgment in the mob mentality
Enabled the murder of an innocent man

Jesus' response from the cross was, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." But that prayer of forgiveness doesn't negate responsibility.

God's verdict: Those who participate in mob violence, even when manipulated by leaders, bear responsibility for their actions.

What God's Word Commands About Flying Monkeys

Now, let's look at what God's Word actually commands about this behavior.

Exodus 20:16 — The Ninth Commandment

"You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor."

This isn't just about courtroom perjury. This commandment protects a person's reputation, their good name, their standing in the community. When you spread lies about someone, when you participate in a smear campaign, when you repeat gossip without verifying it—you are violating this commandment.

Exodus 23:1

"You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness."

Did you catch that? "Join hands with a wicked man." This is a direct prohibition against being a flying monkey.

Proverbs 17:15

"He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the LORD."

Let that sink in. When you defend an abuser and condemn their victim, God calls it an abomination. Not a mistake. Not a difference of opinion. An abomination.

Correcting Twisted Scripture

Flying monkeys—especially in church contexts—often use Scripture to justify their behavior. So let's correct some of the twisted interpretations you might have heard.

"Love Covers a Multitude of Sins"

People will say, "Love covers a multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:8), and they'll use that to demand that you stay silent about abuse.

But here's what that verse actually means. In context, Peter is talking about interpersonal forgiveness within the Christian community. Love is willing to forgive when someone repents. Love doesn't gossip about minor offenses.

But what it does NOT mean is that love hides ongoing abuse. In fact, Ephesians 5:11 commands, "Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them."

"Keep the Peace"

People will say, "Keep the peace," and they'll quote Matthew 5:9: "Blessed are the peacemakers."

But biblical peace—shalom—is not the absence of conflict. It's wholeness, completeness, right relationships, and justice. You cannot have true peace without justice.

Jeremiah 8:11 condemns false peacemakers: "They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying 'peace, peace,' when there is no peace."

"Submit to Authority" / "Touch Not God's Anointed"

People will say, "Submit to authority," and they'll use phrases like "touch not God's anointed."

But every command to submit to human authority in Scripture is qualified by the higher command to obey God. Acts 5:29 says, "We must obey God rather than human beings!"

And "touch not God's anointed" has nothing to do with church leaders being immune from accountability. In fact, the Bible is filled with examples of prophets confronting corrupt leaders:

Nathan confronted David
Elijah confronted Ahab
John the Baptist confronted Herod
Paul confronted Peter publicly

If "touch not God's anointed" meant "never hold leaders accountable," then all these prophets sinned. Clearly, that's not what it means.

How to Defend Yourself Against Flying Monkeys

So we've talked about what flying monkeys are, why they're so dangerous, how people become them, and what the Bible says. Now let's get practical. What do you actually do when you're surrounded by flying monkeys, especially when some of them are people you love?

This is incredibly difficult, but here are some principles:

1. Do Not Engage in Arguments

You cannot win a debate with a flying monkey. They're not interested in your side of the story; they're there to deliver the narcissist's message. Arguing with them is like arguing with a parrot—you're not talking to the real source.

2. Set Firm Boundaries

This is non-negotiable. You can say things like:

"I am not going to discuss this with you."
"My relationship with [the narcissist] is between me and them, and I won't be using you as a messenger."
"If you continue to bring this up, I will have to end this conversation."

3. Go "Gray Rock"

The gray rock method means you become as boring and unresponsive as a gray rock. Give short, factual, unemotional answers. Don't give them any new information or emotional reactions that they can take back to the narcissist.

4. Identify Your True Allies

Not everyone will be a flying monkey. Look for the people who remain neutral, who ask questions, or who quietly support you. These are your Jonathans in the court of Saul. Cherish them.

5. Be Prepared to Lose Relationships

This is the hardest part. Some people are so enmeshed with the narcissist that they will never see the truth. You may have to limit contact or even go no-contact with them to protect your own mental and spiritual health.

It's a painful loss, but your safety must come first.

A Word to Those Who Realize They've Been Flying Monkeys

I need to pause here because I know some of you reading this are feeling deeply convicted right now. Maybe you're realizing, "I think I've been a flying monkey. I defended someone I shouldn't have. I spread their narrative."

If that's you, I want to speak directly to you for a moment.

First, conviction is not condemnation. If you're feeling convicted right now, that's the Holy Spirit working in your heart. That's a good thing. It means you're not hardened. It means there's hope.

Second, there is hope and there is grace. Remember Job's friends? God was angry with them. He called out their sin. But He also provided a way forward. They had to offer sacrifices, and they had to ask Job to pray for them. And when they did, God accepted them.

What You Can Do

Acknowledge the truth to yourself and to God.
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." — 1 John 1:9
Make amends where possible.
If you spread lies about someone, consider reaching out to apologize. If you publicly defended the abuser, consider publicly correcting the record. This is what biblical repentance looks like.
Accept that the victim may not be ready to forgive you immediately.
They've been deeply wounded. They may need time and distance. Respect their boundaries.
Learn discernment.
Ask God to give you wisdom so you're not deceived again. Study the tactics of manipulation. Learn the red flags.
Become an advocate.
Use your experience to protect others. Speak up when you see it happening. Be a voice for victims instead of a voice for abusers.

God Sees You and Will Vindicate You

Hear this: God sees you. God knows the truth. And God will vindicate you.

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." — Psalm 34:18

"Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord." — Romans 12:19

God's justice may be delayed, but it is certain. Every biblical example we've looked at shows that God eventually vindicates the innocent and judges those who participate in their persecution.

You are not alone. You are not crazy. And you are standing in the company of Job, David, and Jesus Himself—all of whom faced not just one abuser but a network of enablers.

And every single one of them was ultimately vindicated by God.

Get Your Free Guide: Flying Monkeys

If you haven't grabbed it yet, make sure you download "Flying Monkeys: How to Identify, Defend, and Heal." It's completely free and includes practical tools to help you navigate this.

What's Inside:

A detailed checklist to identify flying monkey behavior
Scripts for setting boundaries with flying monkeys
Biblical principles for protecting yourself spiritually
Strategies for maintaining your sanity when surrounded by enablers
Guidance on identifying your true allies

This guide will help you recognize the patterns, protect yourself, and find healing from the compounded abuse of flying monkeys.

Download your free guide here

You Are Not Alone

Because you are loved. You are seen. And you are not alone.

Toxicity is NOT your destiny.

Downloadable Resources

Want more content like this?

Get encouraging and empowering content delivered straight to your inbox! Join my mailing list to receive weekly blogs and resources.

By filling this form, you agree to receive quality-filled communications from us. We will never spam you or share your information with a third party.