Spiritual Abuse

Spiritual Abuse. It is real, it happens today, and seems to be growing more and more as I look around.
Some of the first examples we have a spiritual abuse came through Judaic law. They added and added to those first ten commands until no one really knew when you sinned against God, or against the local clergy.
Through history, it has been evident. The early persecution of those who were not of the Roman Catholic faith, for one. 
Spiritual abuse can come in all shapes and sizes and look many different ways.
The dictionary says of spiritual abuse: Spiritual abuse occurs when a person in religious authority or a person with a unique spiritual practice misleads and maltreats another...


This doesn't sound like much fun.
But I have seen it occur over and over, and in every church I have ever attended.
I know that statement is powerful, I think I mean it to be.


But before I go further, I want to give an example of the instances I have experienced


My first real experience came when I was a teen. I was "on fire" for God. I was at church every time the doors opened. I could quote my fair share of bible verses, and I knew every single word of the 10 Commandments. (Said with much sarcasm)
Now let me explain that when you live in a small resort town, where the entire population is 400 in the winter, and jumps to 10,000 in the summer, that church can be exciting and fun. Even if the main focus of the church is to cater to those thousands in a short 3 month period of time. But when the air gets cold, everyone leaves, and the real work of a local church begins. 
There had been a couple in town, living in a tepee for a number of months. The church had given them money when needed, food, and warm clothes. They promised to come to church. I was excited at the prospect. Then one warm summer day, they did come. I sat proudly in the front pew, my normal spot as they made their way down the aisle. The pastor we had at the time practically ran down to meet them. But instead of a welcome hug, he told them they weren't dressed properly for church, and they couldn't come back until the took a shower.
Needless to say, I was shocked. I couldn't even concentrate on the sermon. I left church that day and rarely went back after that. I didn't want to be a part of a group that expressed acceptance by their own standards.


It was then that I began to notice that church, as I knew, was capable of spiritual abuse.


Since when do we have to dress to a certain standard to be able to attend church?
If you have lived in the south, or even visited, you will see that everyone wears their best. It is like a Sunday School Model show with the little old ladies and men standing at the door, inspecting everyone's attire to make sure it meets their standards.


Church here in this small town is really nothing like that. Most people come in ranch clothes, blue jeans, and some even have manure on their boots. Some times we may dress up a little, but only for Christmas or Easter, and I may still wear jeans on those days, depending on the temperature.


Yes, this is but one example, but it leads to a great many questions, and some of my opinions.


Since when has another believers opinions been greater than that of God?


I have seen preachers point their fingers at the church members, for not giving enough, doing enough, being there enough, and at the same time, ignoring the spiritual growth of the people in the pews.


I have seen musicians make people cry with their beautiful songs, then ten minutes later hear criticism coming from their mouths.


I have seen ministries use the very people they claim to be helping, all in the name of furthering God's Kingdom on earth. Just to throw them aside when the "rules" are broken or when you have an opinion that differs from the church leaders.


This all falls under the guise of spiritual abuse.


I am not pointing fingers here. I have done it myself.
Yes, I fully admit that I have thought to myself many times, even when I didn't speak it out loud, that "I am a better Christian than they are!" Oh how wrong I truly am. If it weren't for grace, I wouldn't be anything at all.


I keep hearing the childrens song, nah nah nah nahhh nahhhhh nah.


What is it that keeps us doing this terrible thing? Instead of loving those around us in our local church, we judge, point fingers and whisper insults.


I believe the problem starts when each of us decide to follow Christ. Suddenly, just as we are on the verge of such an incredible spiritual high, feeling pure and secure, someone starts sending is messages full of rules.
"We don't do things like that in church."
"We don't act like that in church."
"We don't speak like that in church."
People start telling us what a believer should do and not do.
All these things are the beginning of spiritual abuse.
Like we, in our own wisdom, know more, and can teach more than the Holy Spirit.
Where did this spiritual arrogance come from?
In my deep psyche, I feel it is an innate need to form power.
New believers trust older believers, they have wisdom, so, shouldn't we listen to them?
NO!!!
In fact, we should question every single thing they say, using the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to judge the real truth.
God doesn't care what we look like, or for that matter, what we smell like. He really doesn't care if our church pews have cushions or if we sit on the floor. God really doesn't care about the many little things we deem important. 
God sees the individual heart, right where it is.
He doesn't ever see our sin after we have asked Jesus into our life. No, not even the sin I commit tomorrow. Why? Because the blood of Christ has covered all my sin, and when God looks at me, He sees me. The child He loves. 


More on spiritual abuse in the days to come, this is a humble start.
Just know, God's Grace is enough for me, and for you. He loves you just exactly the way you are, and no one else matters. Rest in His arms and heal, He will never let you go.