"Spiritual abuse occurs when someone uses their power within a framework of spiritual belief or practice to satisfy their own needs at the expense of others. It is a breach of sacred trust. Christians are commanded by Jesus to love one another. When that is projected, articulated, enjoyed and then treacherously betrayed, the wounded person is left with 'a sense of having been raped, emotionally and spiritually' – not by a stranger, but by someone who was deeply trusted...A Christianity which perpetuates the exaltation of mere men to god-like status, while belittling and wounding so many of God’s children in the process, is completely antithetical to what Jesus taught and is just as harmful to the leaders as it is to those who follow." - Jonna Petry
http://joyfulexiles.com/2012/03/19/my-story-by-jonna-petry
Thankyou for the link to Jonna's story. I have also shared it on my blog.
ReplyDeleteSpiritual abuse is nothing new, but it seems since the advent of the Internet, this "well kept secret" rampant in churches is coming out of the closet. I keep having the feeling that it's God's doing as He is now beginning His promised task of judging the household of God.
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