Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Home
General Christian
Family, Parenting and Religion
Beware of Spiritual Abuse!

Beware of Spiritual Abuse!

Last updated on: August 1, 2024 at 12:10 am by Dr. Feyi Obamehinti

Beware of Spiritual Abuse! 2024-08-01T00:10:08-05:00 Dr. Feyi Obamehinti

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Photo by Alin Luna on UnSplash

National Back To School Month

Dear Patheos Friends;

It’s been four weeks since we connected here. I am finally caught up on all feedback. Appreciate all your input and well wishes. And today kicks off the month of August- National Back To School month. Families all across the nation are preparing for a new school year. Parents, it’s time to get the kids back on a routine schedule.

The Church Collective

This post is not about your typical back to school but a different type of education for everyone that follows and loves Jesus Christ. The last six weeks have been filled with so many unraveling within the Body of Christ. The church collective (The Body of Christ) increased in cynicism before a world that has been looking for things to say for a long time. They now have enough to chew on. Not the kind of press that lifts up the name of Jesus and draws people to Christ. It has been one dagger news for followers of Jesus, one right after another. News that drives potential believers away from God. From news of betrayal of trust, deceptions, misuse of funds, to abuse of power, the list seems to be unending. Some news outlets are even keeping a tracking list of the sour news. Sad times for the church collective.

The World Is Not The Problem

In the last six weeks, my husband and I have heard from so many hurting people. Some old, some young. The common thread is the abuse they have faced from leaders they trusted. At a recent meeting, the question was asked by one of the panelists, “How did the church collective get here?” Here meaning these times of sour news of betrayal of trust, deceptions, manipulations and much more. A time where spiritual leaders lack the fear of God. A time where friends do the unthinkable with pulse-less conscience. A time where the Bible and the Holy Spirit is no longer important to the church collective. A time of celebritism and entertainment in the church collective. These are the things that get the Jesus lovers on their knees, crying to God to have mercy on His people! The church collective is the problem and not the world being the world!

Good Followers Training

We got here because for years, the church collective has been trained to be good followers of the church building who ask no question. Good followers who live under a rock. Good followers who turn the other cheek. Good followers who are naive. Good followers who are unaware of abuse of all forms. Instead of learning to follow Jesus Christ who lives out grace and truth, for years the church collective had their gaze on other things. With the rug pulled from under our feet, the church collective is right here in these unprecedented times.

Spiritual Abuse

We are here because teaching the church collective about abuse was seen as a taboo. So, what do we do in these times? It’s time for the church collective to be educated on what spiritual abuse is, what spiritual abuse looks like, and how to be Christlike in these times. The Bible is filled with examples of how Jesus Christ, our perfect example, showed up against spiritual abuse. We see a great example in Matthew 21: 12-14, “Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” He said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.”

Holy Calling

It is time for the church collective to beware of spiritual abuse. And for anyone who is a leader within the church collective, more is required by our Savior and Lord. We cannot say we belong to Jesus and carry ourselves just like the world. Our God will not have it from us. Leading within the church collective is not a career- it is a holy calling! God will not allow His leaders to coast when it comes to representing Him and His Kingdom. God is serious and He is not playing with any of us in these times. God is Holy and holy He has called His people to be!

Beseeching God

It is time to get serious if we say we are followers of Jesus Christ. It is time to cast off deceptions, abuse of power, gaslighting, coverups, and all works of darkness. It’s time for us the church collective to get comfortable with questions, with transparency, with vulnerability, and with holiness that we are called to. It is time for us to be what 1 Peter 2:9 says of us. Followers of Jesus Christ, you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” It’s time to get on our knees and faces, beseeching God for His abundant mercies for His Bride- the church collective.

About Dr. Feyi Obamehinti

About Author: Dr. Feyi Obamehinti is a wife, mother, an ordained minister of the gospel, Bible Teacher, speaker, life educator, author, co-founder of nonprofits Oasis Connection Ministries and Oasis Focus Inc. Dr. Feyi as she's known professionally, co-host Oasis Connection TV and Oasis of Hope Podcast with her husband-Dr. Johnson Obamehinti- from their home in Texas. As a life educator, Dr. Feyi loves to equip people with Biblical principles to thrive in every area of life. A dynamic international and national trainer/speaker, she is passionate about helping people "see life" from God's perspective - only one that truly matters. A nationally syndicated commentator, Dr. Feyi equips leaders on maximizing their leadership for the people they lead. She is an encourager extraordinaire of the Wellness Project, ambassador of hope, community leader and advocate. You can read more about the author here.

Previous Post

July 3, 2024

God The Fixer Upper

Next Post

August 24, 2024 Doers, Not Just Hearers or Onlookers

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Coaching Discipleship Equipping Parenting Transformation Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does James say about friendship with the world?

Select your answer to see how you score.

It is foolishness It creates emnity with God It pulls you from God It is dangerous