Spiritual Abuse

Spiritual Abuse? Hmm! You probably think that this is sounds crazy. You might also think that this is something that was made up. It is not a funny game. It is more than having a headache, taking painkillers, going to bed and feeling better the next day. It is much more than a mere feeling. Some of you may be so sure that this is something which cannot be substantiated. We’ve all heard about physical abuse, verbal abuse, emotional abuse and even financial abuse; but spiritual abuse is rather never heard of or very seldom discussed. One of the dangers of spiritual abuse is that the signs are not as visible as in the case of physical abuse. I likened spiritual abuse to a large infested sore. Instead of sewing up the spiritual sutures of abuse by applying the necessary dressings for healing, we tend to cover the disgrace with a band aid, thinking it will be healed and go away unnoticed. But instead of healing, the wound festers and eventually erupts into a large wound. This is what happens when spiritual abuse is ignored; this is what happens when Satan commands his demons to infiltrate our homes and churches. And as a result, the little blister has festered into something much worse, and is out of control. Spiritual abuse is in the church and in the home. It is here, it is real, it is sin and it hurts. This book is not only written to help those who are experiencing the abuse, but also for those who are responsible for the abuse, to let them know that God is watching Just as how there are problems in marriages caused by infidelity and other reasons, the same way relationships are negatively affected by this type of exploitation. The Lord is obviously not pleased with people who delight themselves in abusing His children, those who He placed in authority and gave the wisdom to help His children “At times even some Christian counselors write-off true victims of Spiritual Abuse as being more victims of their own thin skin than anything else. They dismiss the horrific accounts of these victims as being "too subjective" to be reliable. In some Christian circles, it has become standard operating procedure to automatically file the claims of Spiritual Abuse under the heading of mere "perception of Spiritual Abuse” (Henzel, R. 2010, par. 7). This is aimed especially at those who are in higher authority, who are held to certain standards; those who are responsible for nurturing His children. 1 Peter 5:2-3 says “Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, watching over them--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve”. Mark 10:42-44 also says “Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all”. Some of us have come in contact with these spirits of abuse at one time or another; whether you are white or black, rich or poor, Christian or non-Christian; at one time or another we have all met this spirit. In fact some of us are living in obnoxious and intolerable conditions with this demon on a daily basis. So then, what is spiritual abuse, and where did it come from? Sound confusing, right? Don’t be, because you are not alone.