Loading...

Spiritual Abuse - Lesson 2

You must log-in to view this content.

Symptoms of Spiritual Abuse

It can be difficult to recognize spiritual abuse because you often don’t realize that it's happening. One sign of possible spiritual abuse is a change of personality in a negative direction. Many abusive situations will undermine and devalue family relationships of the members to exploit them and increase control over them in the group. They will emphasize church loyalty to the exclusion of family loyalty. 

Gerry Breshears
Gerry Breshears
Spiritual Abuse
Lesson 2
Watching Now
Symptoms of Spiritual Abuse

Symptoms of Spiritual Abuse

I. How Do We Recognize Spiritual Abuse?

A. Do you hate church but are afraid to say so?

B. Do you feel guilty if you miss a service?

C. Do you find yourself giving time and money to the church to get God's blessing?

D. Do you find yourself thinking that God is waiting for you to sin?

E. Will I be punished if I make a mistake?

F. Do I need to work harder so God will forgive me?

II. Questions Adapted from Robert Enroth

A. The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the one.

B. Does your personality generally become stronger, happier, more confident as a result of spending time with the group?

C. Do members of the group seek to strengthen their family commitments?

D. Does the group encourage independent thinking and the development of discernment skills?

E. Does the group allow for individual differences of belief or behavior particularly on issues of secondary importance?

F. Does the group's leadership invite dialogue, advice and evaluation from outside the immediate church?

G. Does the group allow for development in theological beliefs?

H. Are group members encouraged to ask hard questions of any kind?

I. Do members appreciate truth even if it's found outside their group?

J. Is the group honest with non-members especially with those who they are trying to win to the group?

K. Does the group foster relationships and connections with the larger society that are more than self-serving?


All Lessons
About
  • 1. Description of Spiritual Abuse

    Spiritual abuse exists when a person or group of people with religious authority use their position of spiritual power to control or dominate another person in the name of God, church faith, etc., taking advantage of the person’s vulnerability to gratify their own needs in areas like power, intimacy, prosperity, sexual gratification, etc.

  • 2. Symptoms of Spiritual Abuse

    It can be difficult to recognize spiritual abuse because you often don’t realize that it's happening. One sign of possible spiritual abuse is a change of personality in a negative direction. Many abusive situations will undermine and devalue family relationships of the members to exploit them and increase control over them in the group. They will emphasize church loyalty to the exclusion of family loyalty. 

  • 3. Shepherding Insights: 7 Things to Do

    When you are encouraging someone as a friend who has experience spiritual abuse, there are specific elements of your relationship that can be helpful.

  • 4. Shepherding Insights: 10 Things to Not Do

    When you are encouraging someone as a friend who has experienced spiritual abuse, there are 6 elements of your relationship that will be helpful to avoid. 

  • 5. How You as a Spiritual Leader Can Help

    Untwist Scripture passages and model a healthy relationship.

  • 6. Question and Answer

    Dr. Breshears responds to questions that are commonly asked about the subject of spiritual abuse.

How to recognize spiritual abuse, important steps to take to recover and what you can do to walk with someone as they recover.