When
someone mentions the term, “spiritual abuse” today, sexual molestation of a
child often comes to mind. We have too many accounts of priests, pastors and
Sunday school teachers preying on the children in their care. And yes, sadly,
that is spiritual abuse.
But
this kind of abuse can also take on a more subtle form as well. Its definition hinges on the manipulation of
power enforced by a spiritual authority figure, with the abused party feeling
helpless and coerced.
Children,
of course, spring to mind as the most vulnerable. But the net spreads wider.
And
a heartbreaking reality emerges: loving God does not exclude us from being
hurt, even in the seemingly Godly setting of church. We are all susceptible
when it comes to spiritual abuse.
“...Many spiritual abuse victims find
themselves struggling to make decisions, and may even have a hard time
disciplining themselves to do basic everyday functions such as getting out of
bed and brushing their teeth. For so long, we allowed the group/leader to think
for us, formulate our opinions for us, and make decisions for us. No wonder so
many of us struggle for many years learning how to find ourselves again after
leaving a spiritually abusive situation...”
“Spiritual Identity Crisis?” www.churchabuse.com
Used with permission.
When
I was mired in the grief of my dad’s death, years ago, I was vulnerable. And,
because of my wrong beliefs about myself and God, I had a harmful perception of
being a “good Christian.”
I was desperate
to have love, reassurance and stability in my life.
So, in that
state, fueled by the wrong “good Christian” beliefs I adopted, I placed myself
in situations in which I people pleased, at the expense of my true identity,
relationships and my grief process.
I felt if I ever
said no to a pastor or church leader, I would be sinning against God; I would
be a bad person.
And, by being
this bad person, I only deserved to be mistreated.
Therefore, in
this mindset, scripture, instead of being my refuge, seemed to only be a weapon
used against me.
“Let every person be subject to the governing
authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist
have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists
what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers
are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one
who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval,
for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he
does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who
carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection,
not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience.”
Romans 13:1-7 is there. It should, ideally, be
constructive and edifying.
But
sometimes, when imperfect humanity gets ahold of it, more sinister, perverted
and harmful agendas can easily dictate their abusive terms.
So, let’s
break down the scriptural passages on spiritual authority and, dare I say it,
challenge them a bit.
“Remind them to be
submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every
good work.”
Submission,
deference, respect- whatever you want to call it- it is there, especially
concerning matters of faith; we cannot avoid it.
Submission to Authority:
“Let every person be
subject to the governing authorities...”
Leaders
are inevitable. Whether they are clergy, teachers, politicians, “first
responders” or experts in any area of life, people leading other people is a
day in, day out, reality. And so, we’re instructed to heed authority.
And
that, of course, is quite pronounced within the church. There are understood
agreements which state church leaders require our respect and cooperation.
In
theory, there’s nothing wrong with that.
However,
if certain individuals abuse that respect,
submission or cooperation, they show themselves to be unfit. Just because we are
under a pastor, a priest or someone in authority, does not give those persons the
right to harm us in any way.
Leaders-
including church leaders- are not above having wrong mindsets, behaviors or
compulsions. And it is these issues which can drive their personal motivations.
Why
do we think there are so many scriptures on the heart and its issues? (i.e., 1
Samuel 16:7; Psalms 139:23-24; Proverbs 21:1-2 and Proverbs 23:7).
It’s
because we are vulnerable in this area and need them as reality check mirrors. Disorder,
deception, misogyny, bigotry, lust, hate and greed can infiltrate any of us. We
can all go to “the dark place.” We can all be led astray, pastors, priests, and
leaders, included.
“The heart is deceitful above all
things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”
Jeremiah 17:9
In
addition, complicating things more, titles and authority can further obscure
our responses. Originally, abuse of anyone may not have been a person’s
intention. But, subtle encroaching of carnal passions creep in, justify and
rationalize why leadership is doing what he/she is doing. All too quickly,
things can go from order to disorder, from trusted safety to abuse.
Leadership
may earnestly believe...
... he/she is doing “what
is best...”
...he/she has the right
to do something because of a particular title or role...
...he/she knows more,
ergo, “knows better,” than the person needing assistance, mentoring or help,
influencing a certain inappropriate behavior and/or relationship...
...his/her title gives
that person Divinely-ordered, sovereign power, endorsing any and all behavior
“for the good of the church...”
These
are just a few of the rationalizations out there, made on a daily basis. Often,
they are hidden from view, allowed to flourish unchecked, within the protection
of secrecy and authority’s power.
And
so, it is within this light, it is all the more important we recognize the Most
High’s method of operation:
HE
never abuses; HE loves.
And
His love does NOT compromise our conscience.
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the
Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11
Out
of that love, yes, comes guidance and correction, but it is always to help us,
never to exploit us. It doesn’t ask us to violate ourselves. It doesn’t coerce
a response from us by using physical, mental, emotional or sexual force.
I’m
sure, by now, you may have heard the phrase, “God is a gentleman.” Hold tightly
to that; it is indicative of His Nature. The Most High God desires our inherent
willingness, not our conflicted acquiescence.
If you feel torn, conflicted or exploited in any
way, it is not of God. It spotlights, indeed, how things have not be done “decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40).
And
that needs to be addressed.
Invoking the Name of God:
“Let every person be subject to the governing
authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have
been instituted by God...”
Likewise,
we are to employ caution whenever anyone uses “God’s Name” or “God’s Will” to
persuade you and me into doing something.
Again,
our Creator doesn’t use abusive force or manipulation when He deals with us. Scripture,
therefore, further instructs us to “test the spirits” (1 John 4:1). This does not simply
cover supernaturally-viewed demonic activity. It is about testing an individual
statement, attitude or teaching. If a church or a leader is asking disturbing,
violating things of us, we need to ask some questions back.
Who’s
asking you to do something “for God?”
What
are they asking you to do?
How
do you feel about it?
What
do you believe God thinks about it?
Who
else knows about this request?
What
are you afraid will happen if you say “yes” or “no” to the request?
If
there is any kind of uneasiness with what is being proposed, we are to heed
that. We are “Spirit-led,” according to scripture. We will “be led into all truth” (John 16:13). Sometimes, that truth may be...
“This leader/church is unsafe.”
“This leader/church is
not doing God’s Will.”
“This leader/church need
to be removed from power and restored.”
Guilt, Fear and Shame:
“...Therefore whoever resists the authorities
resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For
rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of
the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his
approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be
afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God,
an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be
in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of
conscience.”
Furthermore,
pressuring and shaming arguments, in the name of “Holy Authority,” can be
hurled as weapons at our less-than-pleasing responses:
“You don’t love God enough.”
“You’re not submissive enough.”
“You don’t have enough of and/or the
‘right’ kind of faith by the evidence of your reactions.”
Man’s Words Versus God’s Words:
But again,
we need to discern between man’s agenda-fueled perspective and the Almighty’s loving
and perfect viewpoint:
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my
ways, says the Lord. For as the
heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My
thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9
Before we
get so upset with a leader’s attitude and behavior and how it involves us, it
would be helpful for each of us to be well-educated in the Holy requirements
expected of that leader.
“Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found
trustworthy.”
“What did
I do wrong?”
So, sometimes,
instead of asking this question, feeling the fear, guilt and shame it elicits,
we need to ask another question in its place...
“What are you, the leader or church, doing wrong?”
“For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach.
He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy
for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and
disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he
may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who
contradict it.”
Leadership can get so drunk on power, they forget or forsake the more
important aspect of stewardship.
“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees,
hypocrites! For ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the
weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to
have done, and not to leave the other undone.”
Matthew 23:23
Stewardship is a higher responsibility to do right with who or what is
entrusted to us. We are not to abuse that for our own purposes: for lust, for
gain, for ego gratification of any kind.
And we need to keep in mind the role healthy stewardship plays in our
lives: freedom.
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm,
then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
Galatians 5:1
The spirit
representing the Most High God is one of liberty, not debilitating oppression.
“Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the
Lord is, there is liberty.”
2 Corinthians 3:17
Spiritual
abuse is the antithesis of Divine freedom; it is enslavement. Being enslaved is
often defined within the physical realm of the body. And yes, spiritual abuse
can incorporate the harmful physical and sexual abuse on the individual.
But it also
involves the mistreatment, the neglect and the harmful mental and/or emotional
tactics as well. “Mind games,” exertion of title, authority or any other
advantage, creates an “or else” message in which the victim sees no escape or
choice other than to submit to the abuser. There may not be a gun held to
someone’s head, but some threat is, nevertheless, made. And that threat can be
wrapped in a lie such as this...
“No one else will love, understand,
believe, forgive or help you if you don’t trust that I know what is best for
you... and do as I say.”
Most of the
time, that threat is never actually uttered in those exact words. Again, much of
spiritual abuse’s message is understood: the abuser’s needs/wants/desires
outweigh the victim’s. And it is further sold by emphasizing how God completely
approves of this arrangement.
But again,
we are to test the spirits. The red flag deal breakers are anything and everything which go
against our conscience, our intuition and the violation of our bodies. Remember
the “God is a gentleman” principle and apply it directly to the leader/church
in question.
Therefore, concerning
what is being asked of or expected from us, which approach are we seeing from the
particular leadership in question?
This?
“Show yourself in all
respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity,
dignity.”
Or this?
“And many will follow after their sensuality,
through whom the way of the truth will be maligned.”
2 Peter 2:2
If it is the latter of the
two, there is spiritual abuse going on, requiring the execution of the Most
High God’s directive:
“Take no part in the
unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.”
Knowing Them By Their Fruit (Matthew 7:20):
Again, knowledge is key,
knowing what is or is not going on concerning the spiritual leadership and/or
the church.
“And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger,
nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your
heart.”
Zechariah 7:10
Churchabuse.com has a
comprehensive checklist of behaviors indicative of harmful conduct.
Honestly and prayerfully
examine if what is taking place is healthy or unhealthy.
If you answered "no" to all of the above 12 questions,
your church is very healthy. If you answered "yes" to three or
more, your church is showing signs of being unhealthy. If you answered
"yes" to six or more, your church is very unhealthy. If you
answered "yes" to eight or more, your church is more than likely a
full-blown authoritarian cult. |
“Spiritual Identity Crisis?”
It’s Not Your Fault:
“... It’s perfectly okay to want to be
accepted just for who you are now. As you transition from the group/leader
identity back to your own identity, you may find yourself ‘acting out’ and
doing things that would have displeased your former spiritual authority. This
is all healthy, and is a completely normal part of the exit process... We may
find ourselves rebelling against the politically correct aspects of religion,
and even questioning everything we ever learned while in the spiritually
abusive group. Even though this may feel like a very confusing, difficult
process – rest assured it is a very healthy and normal part of recovery...”
“Spiritual Identity Crisis?”
One of the most frightening and demoralizing aspects of spiritual abuse
is the aftermath of it. Whether it is an individual or the corporate church
body, there is often further pain heaped upon the already traumatic situation.
The sheep are, in one way or another, scattered (Jeremiah 23:1-2), hurt and disillusioned.
“‘Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and
scattering the sheep of My pasture!’ declares the LORD. Therefore thus says the
LORD God of Israel concerning the shepherds who are tending My people: ‘You
have scattered My flock and driven them away, and have not attended to them;
behold, I am about to attend to you for the evil of your deeds,’ declares the
LORD.”
There can be any number
of scenarios which occur before, during or after the abuse and/or its scandal
once it has come to light.
There may be threats, including threats against one’s life, one’s family,
one’s career or one’s church membership.
There is often toxic gossip. The “Scarlett A” may be applied to the
victim, while simultaneously excusing or protecting the perpetrator(s).
If/when that happens, please remember: this is victim blaming. And it is
NOT of the Most High God. Therefore, it becomes important to see yourself in Psalms
40:17.
“But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou
art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.
You are the hurt, wounded party. And you have not gone unnoticed. Our
all-knowing, all-seeing Creator knows every last detail. And He is, by no
means, blasé about what happened.
“And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that
a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.”
Mark 9:42
How did they cause you, little one, to stumble?
Furthermore, the predators in question will not get
away with what they did. Never forget, the Most High God has limitless ways of
executing His Justice.
“For we know him that hath said, ‘Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense,’
saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.”
Hebrews 10:30
Scripture doesn’t tell us “it is a fearful thing to fall into the Hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31)
for nothing!
Truth lives; Truth wins...
“‘For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed;
neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in
darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear
in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.’”
Luke 12:1-3
And, if that still didn’t snap the guilty to
attention, perhaps this big-time, eternal and spiritual reality WILL...
“...‘Verily I say unto
you, Inasmuch as ye have done it
unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.’”
Matthew 25:40
The Divine does not possess a cavalier attitude on
this point; neither, then, should we. For, this perspective came after another
which cuts right to the heart of the Father...
“...‘Suffer little
children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of
heaven.’”
Matthew 19:14
The Most High does not appreciate anyone who
interferes with the communion of His children. Spiritual abuse, make no mistake
about it, interferes, hinders and damages that precious gathering. It affects
His children by promoting the doubt, insecurity and the lie of “un-lovability.”
Spiritual abuse often has been a breeder of those toxic lies. As a means of
manipulation and self-interest, it inflicts such assertions as...
“You are damned.”
“You have lost the love of God.”
“It is hopeless unless you ‘repent’ (by our definition of
repentance only).”
And, because faith is the most personal to us, this
shakes everything.
(Again, remember the scattering of the sheep).
Scripture, however, is emphatic about Our Father’s
stance on the issue:
“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels
nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor
height nor depth nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from
the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:38-39
“The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, ‘Surely as I have
thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand.’”
Isaiah 14:24
“‘My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow
me. And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither
shall any man pluck them out of
my hand. My Father, which gave them
me, is greater than all; and no man
is able to pluck them out of my
Father's hand.’”
John 10:27-29
Concerning spiritual abuse, you, perhaps, for a time,
may feel you are going it alone. But you are not alone. You are not forsaken,
forgotten, unloved or blamed. He knows. He knows YOU. You may be walking
through a spiritual abuse experience or season which constantly seems to beg
the question, “What did I do wrong?”
Answer: Nothing, little lamb, nothing.
And, in your meantime, do not despair. He is
leading, helping, restoring and guiding you...
“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of
truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself;
but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things
to come.”
John 16:13
Copyright © 2020 by Sheryle Cruse
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