Spiritual Abuse

"Abuse" is a very strong word. In every case of abuse the central factor is the misuse of power. This is the context in which the word is used.

No-one would condone abusive situations when confronted by the realities. Abuse becomes a stark reality when you are the one involved. We reel in disgust at the story of the child who has been abused or the wife who displays bruises from her husbands fists. These are issues that must be acted upon as they all spring from a disregard for God's word. There is another form of abuse that is largely unseen and occurs all over the planet all the time. This is spiritual abuse. Because it is something intangible we ignore its seriousness. However this is a problem that claims the spiritual life, and sometimes the physical life, of many Christians. The fact that God appears to condone the ministerial treachery many experience is just too much for some. What is the truth behind spiritual abuse?

I believe that the systems and structures most ministers party to in their work are to blame. It is true that some ministers know that they are devastating a life but most are following some procedure that they see as 'scriptural'. If Christians do not understand this, they can forever remain a seeping wound. It is easy and often feels good to pin the blame on individuals who were involved in 'what happened'. However, to properly deal with the problem of spiritual abuse, we need to see what is behind it. It will be no surprise to learn that the way church is erroneously practiced is largely the problem. Men who place themselves in a tiered leadership structure in church are asking for trouble. In industry men can do their work in these ranked systems as constitutional boundaries protect those under these bosses. If there is an infringement, unions can represent the employee and ensure the correct procedures are administered. With this knowledge, those in industry generally work towards getting the 'product' out of the door to the people. Each are rewarded for their work and most of the time everything runs smoothly. In church it is different.

Ministers automatically slip into a ranked structure for a three reasons. Firstly, the Early Church Fathers erroneously began ranking church leaders. This practice remains in the church today yet is entirely opposite to scripture. Secondly, it appears logical to create an organisational structure with divisions and sub divisions to get a job done. However, the bible has no church directive to get a job done. We know there is the desire to see lost people become Christians, this is God's heart for those still bound by darkness. But this is not described as a job or a 'product' that the Church should aim towards. rather, it is more a natural consequence of being in Christ and meeting biblically. The church should meet for encouragement and upbuilding but mission has become the drive for most. Thirdly, the truth remains that the heart of man will relish the opportunity to be over other people. It is a biblical and historical fact that when man has anything from kingship to a leadership position in a local church, he is in great danger.

The heart of man is not capable of leading the spiritual life of others. Spiritual life bears no resemblance to organisational/project/industrial life. Spiritual life needs family and the warmth of brothers and sisters. Spiritual life needs the Lord of life to be central to what they do, not a mission or a vision-based end product. With these considerations we can begin to understand how the church has been playing into the hands of unhelpful situations. How can a man manage spiritual life? He can't. Only Jesus Christ can do that. What we see today is mere men making decisions about the lives of spiritual people. It ends in problematic situations.....sometimes misuse of power. Those who swallow and follow the papal directives from thousands of pulpits risk an even bigger problem. They become so convinced their elected Man Of God is their spokesperson that the leading of the Spirit always comes from that person. The result is people who are living their life with two mediators. They have their church leader and then Jesus. Jesus has always been and always will be your leader. A time comes when you either choose the leading of God or the leading of the church leader. Many church leaders react by assuming the church member is rebellious or has attitude problems. While this can be the case, most are being led by God and should obey.

Those who even today experience the darkness and depressive hangover of an abusive situation can find answers and understanding in these truths. If it is possible to see what happened as God's way of setting you free from the hierarchical leadership, you will begin to be healed. Men do act in atrocious ways towards each other to serve their own purpose but behind this is an erroneous system that flies in the face of biblical directives.

Our fight is not against flesh and blood. If you need any more help with this contact us. If you want to know more about how to live as a spiritual person in God's plan for church, contact us.