Exposing the Crisis of Spiritual Abuse
There is a crisis of spiritual abuse unfolding in the Church of North America. While the issue itself is not new, the way God is choosing to expose it in this hour is unprecedented. There is nowhere to run and nowhere to hide for the wolves who are guilty of harming God’s sheep.
The Courage to Confront
I appreciate the courage of many Christian leaders who have stepped forward to confront the issue of spiritual abuse and trauma in the church right now. I have been grieved by the abuses that innocent people have had to endure by spiritual predators. The abuse within the church has been not only sexual – but financial, verbal, emotional, psychological, relational, and physical. In a nutshell – it is demonic.
As a clinical counselor, ministry leader, and person who has had my own experiences with spiritual abuse and trauma, I have spent more than two decades teaching and training the Body of Christ to discern the wolves in their midst – and how to respond according to God’s Word.
A Call for Discernment and Responsibility
In that time I have learned that sometimes sheep can be their own worst enemy because they choose to idolize a minister or ministry above obedience to God’s Word – often refusing to heed the warnings and testimonies of those whom God has sent to help them. How much pain and abuse could have been avoided if individual believers and the corporate Body of Christ had simply heeded what the Spirit was saying to the churches (Revelation 2:7; 2:29; 3:22)?
And no, this is not an example of victim-shaming or blaming. I would never do that. I continue to minister hope and healing to those who have been betrayed by spiritual leaders and professing Christians. The effects of trauma are real and often long-lasting. The impact of spiritual trauma on the lives of individual believers and their families has been horrific to hear and witness. This post is not directed to those who have been victimized and traumatized, but to those Christians who feel blindsided and betrayed by their ministry leaders right now.
I believe part of our healing comes in assessing any personal responsibility we may bear in these situations (Psalm 139:23-24). How is it that believers are not able to discern the predators in our midst? How is it that the Body of Christ does not know how to respond to injustice, abuse, and trauma according to God’s Word? Why is it that professing believers are so quick to judge and condemn those who speak what we don’t want to hear? How can Christians promote emotional safety and spiritual healing for those who have been deceived by charismatic spiritual leaders or harmed by doctrines of demons and men? My book, Relational Wellness, was written to provide guidance to the Christian church as we grapple with these difficult and uncomfortable questions.
A Time for Reflection and Repentance
There are innocent people who have been horrendously abused in the name of religion. For this there is no excuse. I am not speaking today about the innocent victims. The fact is, there are many professing Christians who have staunchly refused – and continue to refuse – to acknowledge truth, choosing instead to denounce, dismiss, slander, and vilify the voices of the victims and those who tried to sound the alarm. Many of God’s truth-tellers have lovingly tried to warn others – for decades. And they have paid a high price to do so.
While some may be grieving the fall of their favorite minister and ministry, we would all do well to ask God to examine our hearts as we seek His healing and justice. God is revealing the idols of His people, the sin in the camp, and the imposters within the household of faith. Repentance is required by many at this time. Hebrews 10 has a strong warning for those who once walked in the things of the Spirit, but lost their way due to sin. We would do well to listen to what our Lord is saying in this hour. The sifting and winnowing of the wheat and the chaff continues.
Listening to the Spirit’s Call
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24)