Spiritual abuse has some of the same features as child abuse in that someone is mistreated by the very ones they trust for help and guidance. And it all occurs behind the closed doors of the church home. There is no consideration or concern at all given to the person s opinion or well being. When the person has a genuine spiritual need, and often they do, that need will go unmet. This is because abusive people use others for their own gratification.
Spiritual abusers have a certain spiritual standard of performance they require.
They can become so determined to defend their spiritual place of authority and their doctrines, that they will wound anyone who disagrees with them. Their way of doing things is the spiritual standard, and you dare not deviate from it. Whenever a person uses words or actions to tear down, attack, or weaken another person s standing as a Christian, that is spiritual abuse. There are systems in place where what people think, how they feel, or what they need and want mean absolutely nothing. When people are not valued, then their needs go unmet.