It’s time to start being on the lookout for spiritual abuse!

[Edited]

Since you may be unfamiliar with what spiritual abuse is; here are 8 warning signs that you are being abused spiritually.

1- You have a warped view of pastoral authority.

This warped view is the result of what you have been taught. The pastor and other leaders are not to be questioned — to question them is to question God. They are God’s men!

The reality is that they are not biblical ‘pastors'; they are dictators. And this kind of ‘leadership’ is nowhere taught in Scripture. If this is the approach in your church — leave! — You are in more of a cult than a biblical church!

2- You are guilted into doing ministry even though you are facing burnout.

In this environment manipulation is common. It can come in a number of forms:

Fear- “If you don’t make this decision you could die in a car accident.”

False Praise- “You do such a great job at this; I know it is God’s will.”

Guilt- “Don’t you remember all I and this ministry have done for you?”

Public Recognition as a Tool of Control (I’ve seen public prayer used as a tool to pet people’s ego.)

3- You are discouraged from asking questions.

Asking questions is viewed as questioning authority. It is often presented as rebellion. “Don’t ask questions, just trust, obey, and submit to what you are told.”

4- Ministry involvement is built on duty, not a love for Christ.

If you constantly hear about duty as the motivation for being involved in ministry, you may be suffering from spiritual abuse.

Jack Hyles once preached a sermon entitled “Duty.” The goal of this message was to motivate Christians to be involved in and faithful to their ministry. The problem was that there was basically no Bible used in his message. Yes, that is an example of spiritual abuse.

5- You constantly hear other ministries criticized.

Sole allegiance and loyalty is expected to your particular ministry. Other ministries are constantly criticized, regardless of whether or not they are biblical, in order to keep that sole allegiance alive and well.

6- You are discouraged from reading on your own. You are told that your pastor is the only one who can really be trusted.

Should caution be exercised when reading unknown authors? Yes! Is it possible for new Christians to be misguided by what they read? Sure!

But the motivation for this instruction in this environment is selfish. You might just find out that all those “standards” you are being guilted and manipulated into keeping are not really found in the Bible.

I’m afraid the mentality is that “An ignorant Christian is a submissive Christian.”

What is this? Catholicism?

7- The Bible is constantly misused to support extra-biblical positions.

Since people are not taught to study for themselves and since they can’t ask questions, they rarely realize this is happening. The Bible is used as a tool to get people to act how the leadership wants them to act.

People in these churches genuinely want to do what is right and live in obedience to Scripture. So the Bible is misused and abused so that extra-biblical stances on music, dress, movies, Bible versions, etc. can appear to be substantiated.

It is when people start thinking for themselves and studying the Bible on their own that they begin to realize the abuse of this approach.

8- Legalism is being used as a tool of control.

Now, it’s not called legalism. It’s called standards or separation or convictions. In these circles outward performance becomes the basis of spirituality.

Closing Thoughts

If you are living in this reality, here’s my advice. [size=14pt]GET OUT NOW![/size]

I have counseled many people reeling from the effects of spiritual abuse. The dangers are real, its power is subtle, the effects are lasting, and results are devastating.

This is not how God designed the church to operate. It’s not how He wants you to live the Christian life.

There is hope. There can be freedom. Healing is possible. Your joy can be restored.

Spiritually abused Christian, I pray for you today!

Source

frosbel:


^^^


Indeed !!

OLAADEGBU:


Check this thread to see what is means to be spiritually abused and how you can be set free.

https://www.nairaland.com/1917392/what-spiritual-abuse/1

frosbel:


Succintly describes the Deeperlife cult where ONE man has the answers to all questions and the herd just follow follow.

smh