Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse, The

This is an incredible book by Loving men of God to help those of us who have escaped being under mind control from religious groups; i haven't finished it yet, as some days, i can only read a few pages, as it's helping me to grieve the fact that though i was deceived and bewitched, it confirms that it was right to separate from this group. Anyone who is not sure if a group is cult-like or in reality, a cult, it will also help you to discern and see the signs of a particular group, and hopefully, not to get involved, because its a very painful process to go through.Thanks so much, David and Jeff, for writing this book,this has helped me to realize that i have NOT lost my mind, which seems to be what the leaders want to happen. The flock comes under mind control and complete brainwashing by not having any understanding of what is written in this book. This book exposes so many nuances one would ordinarily not pay any attention to. Anyone who asks questions to the leadership about Doctrine or anything, including finances, is shunned by leadership. Then, if you leave the group setting, you are labeled 'divisive' aka, a division maker or in rebellion. Perhaps you will be ''marked and avoided" as disobedient to God because you are questioning God's Anointed Leaders who "'know so much more than you".. Perhaps you will be accused of losing your salvation or that you will lose your salvation, because you've not removed enough sin from your life. I know Jesus is grieved at the heirlings in the Church. Jesus Christ did not give us a spirit of fear, or condemnation, yet, many are walking around in just that.For it is written, in the end times, even the very elect will be deceived, and that there will be wolves in sheep's clothing.....This book is for everyone who is suspicious or just wants to learn what to watch out for in a Church, the warning signs, and the red flags. If there is no accountability for pastors, where is a sheep to turn? Does your church or group use the "Don't Talk Rule", secrecy, and yes, even financial secrets where no one is to ask any questions, which is very dangerous.. Does your 'group' have accountability to another ministry or godly counsel? Do you get donation emails and requests at each service? Are you asked to give more volunteer hours than you ever expected? Are you completely exhausted and just feel you must keep serving and serving, because it's for God? Please get this book, it may save your life! This book will provide you with tools to strengthen your discernment and know when to walk away.Any group that has nothing to hide will have a budget for the attendees to see freely, discussions about church business, and the like.(Right?) Or, is this reserved for 'behind closed doors' only available to the leadership? Do your church leaders preach the Truth, and, then, do they walk in it, to the best of their ability? Does some of the Doctrine come from commentaries of extra-Biblical material that other men wrote? When there are guests visiting, do they receive preferential treatment? Are your leaders working out their issues, as they help you work out your issues? IS THERE GOD'S LOVE present, or is that only for certain 'in' groups; If your leaders are not loving the flock, as The Father and Jesus Christ love their Beloved, I think that sitting under this can cause much confusion, and we know that God is NOT the author of confusion. Are there only certain 'anointed' ones? Perhaps this Scripture (and others) have been used to frighten you, that says, TOUCH NOT mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm. There are many churches using this Scripture to intimidate the sheep. The Holy Bible says that we are ALL God's anointed!I recommend this book to anyone who is in any kind of religious group, or thinking about becoming part of a group; the authors point out the signs and warnings to heed. God does not hold us to impossible standards, when we repent, HE is Faithful to forgive us. Saints, we must be sure to stay in forgiveness and then we can pray for the leaders and release them to God. Then, the atrocities committed and not repented for are between the leaders and God.This little book explains all about the power the leaders have over the flock, and the employees; do the leaders serve the flock??? or only a 'special inner circle?' Are the attendees expected to give and give and 'keep in line' and not ask questions, and to serve the pastors? Even the sheep become deceived because we looked to leaders as:"safe'"people. This, my friends, we have realized, is Idolatry, and we have had to repent to God for that.Do people of the body just quit calling you, because they were told not to speak with you? Perhaps they are told not to ask you why you have left, as obviously, if others 'knew' the truth, it would blow the group's 'cover'. We had to separate ourselves completely remembering we have freedom of thought.The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse poses other questions, such as, do the leaders still talk about people who left years ago in a very unkind way? Could the leaders still have extreme Bitterness to the core, that keeps them bound to "WE ARE RIGHT, THEY ARE WRONG?' It is written, when bitterness comes it defiles everyone around. Do your pastor or pastors tell you who you can talk with, who you can have Bible study with, do they tell you, don't visit other ministries, because we are the only ones that are pure and Biblical? What would you think if the leaders position is, they don't believe in birth control for any family? Having multiple children have put people in poverty and then making it very difficult to leave the group.Perhaps some of the sheep work there, and there are another set of rules for them. Because there is no disclosure of financial information, do you find a single mom with several children working there for minimum wage and having to get food stamps? Are there rules and regulations and 'protocols' that seem impossible to achieve? These are some of the many subtle things you might see; and much more.We don't know how long healing will take, but thanks for prayers that God would send the right people into all our lives, and that we can trust that The Holy Spirit will reveal God's Word to us! It will be for God's Glory when we Overcome this spiritual abuse, and become stronger despite the wounding and broken hearts that we Trust God to Heal.It is written, WOE UNTO THE PASTORS AND SHEPHERDS THAT SCATTER THEIR SHEEP, for GOD ALMIGHTY is on The Throne, and NOT any man or woman. (See Jeremiah 23 and Ezekial 34). and continue to pray for these people who have deceived themselves, in Jesus Name. Thanks for your prayers and draw closer to God,

Must read for everyone who have been hurt but church. Pick up your copy today.

I’m not sure that I have felt so thoroughly understood by authors who have never met me before. Speaking in “code” but never clear and direct. People always being declared to be “the problem” while no one even knows what real problem solving looks like. A church family system that matches the broken family system at home. Or is it the other way around? I struggle with the reality that it isn’t necessary to identify “bad guys” before you can acknowledge a destructive system.

I wasn't exactly sure what to expect when I picked up this book--all I had to do was read the title to know that I have been spiritually abused. After reading, it seems perhaps the abuse I endured was a bit more extreme than anything mentioned here. As a child, my mother would lock me in a room until I could speak in tongues or force me to stare into a mirror for hours until I could see a demon. She told me how full of sin and rebellion I was; how lazy, how broken and worthless I was without God. She always managed to find churches to act in collusion with her and shame me as a group. She would bring me into the pastor's office so they could both tell me I was possessed by a demon of lust and depravity. She used her extensive knowledge of Scripture to condemn and belittle me while proclaiming grace and forgiveness for her own self. I am an adult now and she *still* spends hours and hours writing me lengthy emails misquoting Scripture and twisting the Bible in order to cast me as the ultimate unworthy sinner and villain. I know this isn't the true God she's representing, but I have literally known nothing else. While reading this book, and I am going to quote the most popular critical reviewer here, "...I could not help but think it described every church that I have attended, ministered in or know of."The book does mention the family unit but only in passing. It speaks mainly of spiritual abuse in churches. If anyone can make a recommendation, I am looking for a book for adult children who were raised in the kind of home I was, and what their spiritual life looked like afterward. I am at a point now where entering a church, hearing certain Christian songs, and even reading the Bible seems to give me PTSD. I know deep down in my heart that I do believe in a God of some kind... but to me God is only the representation of the purest love. In moments of stillness and solitude, he is the receiver of my gratitude and my grief, my joy and my pain. He's just a presence in my heart now, and the words of the Bible and the thought of having to be a Christian only make me cry and shrink away. Does the Christian God have grace enough for someone like me who can't even bear to participate in His ordained institution? This is a question I wish I could ask the authors.My favorite part of the book was the dramatization of the Jewish man and his family as they were going to the temple, before Jesus came and overturned all the tables of the money-changers. It was the most moving part of the book for me. I had never heard Jesus described as someone who fought for me, to stop my abuse. It was extremely powerful. I can't give the book 5 stars only because in the end it felt like there was no acceptance for me--the person who has endured the abuse and decided that I just can't be a Christian at all.

If you are a leader, or in a ministry setting you need to read this book. It will help you identify how you have abused those under you and change your ways. It will also greatly help you if you have been abused.

I’ll have to admit I was weary in picking up this book, who would have thought such a thing exists in church but it does. As I turned the pages my heart sank, tears streamed down and at last finally I felt validated. I wasn’t crazy. All those times I kept saying “God this isn’t you! It can’t be. This isn’t how you would treat me. I’m not wrong.” And this book clearly shows no I wasn’t wrong. I was right. Story after story I read was almost like it was taken out of my former church. The don’t talk rule. Shaming and guilting its people into serving. Meetings behind closed doors to game plan what to tell the congregation about what happened. All true. While the place I came from wasn’t the extreme example it was definitely what the book describes. The book helped me understand my former leaders, gave me the validation I needed and healed my heart. I since gave it to my mother who also just left the same church.I believe EVERY single Believer should read this book. It’ll open your eyes to leave or if you are the person in power hopefully open your eyes to change and repent.

This book helps to recognize spiritual abusive systems and also shows ways how to deal with them stepping towards freedom.

I read this book in an extremely difficult period of our lives and found much help from it.The authors demonstrate how spiritual abuse varies only in the detail, but not in the intent.It is surprisingly devastating to be treated unjustly by a church “group”. The results are frequently traumatic stress and depression.One cannot fight “group” dishonesty and gossip effectively at all, and the resulting frustration can cause mental anguish.These two authors really know what happens and give great Scriptural help. In the acute stages, one may not want to heed it, but the words are there to fall back on and give Godly help. Thankyou to both.

this is a very good book on spiritual abuse

I purchased this book because it was recommended by an organization I was researching for info on an allegedly false, abusive teacher, that my church had been promoting. Having come from a spiritually abusive church leader almost 4 years ago, I did not want to be part of a church that promoted such a teacher - whether my church acknowledged it or not, which they do not at present. Even the concept of the term "spiritual abuse" made me uncomfortable. But as I read the book, I was even more convinced of the abuse at my previous church leader and the false, abusive teacher I currently have concerns about.The book is very thorough in exposing the subtllties of spiritual abuse, as the title claims. The book is awesome! Linda B.

Learnt lots and was empowering for someone coming out of church abuse. Made me feel less crazy and was validating