PASTORIAL ABUSE

Pastoral Abuse

Jeremiah 50:6

6 My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their resting place.

Inside many churches today, the leader has set himself up in a position that only God should occupy in the lives of the saints. It is not that the members do not feel they love God, but they have been subjected to abuse by the leader in order for that leader to maintain an atmosphere where they can constantly get whatever they want.

Pastoral abuse occurs when a leader uses his/her pastorate and authority unlawfully to manipulate and control the members for his/her own personal gain. They do this in order to accomplish their own personal agendas and satisfy their own lusts. To accomplish this, the pastor misuses his position as a spiritual leader. The saints trust their pastor and see him as one who will teach them the heart and mind of God and, consequently, make themselves totally vulnerable to him. They willingly reveal all areas of deficiencies and weakness primarily in an attempt to get help. Since that leader is aware of these deficiencies, he will then use and twist the truth of God to gain control of the person’s will.

2 Peter 2:12-19

12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;

13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;

14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:

15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.

17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.

18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.

19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

The leader teaches members to believe he is placed in their life to teach them to understand God. This leaves unsuspecting members as easy prey. They have no other recourse than to have a misdirected understanding of God. Because the pastor is accepted as God’s authority, and the members believe he has the ability to teach them about God and God’s ways. Therefore, they submit and lose sight of their own will. Also, the ungodly leader will instill fear in the hearts of members by using the Word of God and making them feel there are severe consequences if they fail to obey him/her.

Hebrews 13:17

17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Ephesians 6:1

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

The consequences of the fear of God is a powerful tool, and leaders will even go as far as making the saints believe they are in rebellion to God if they do not fully obey them.

1 Samuel 15:23

23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry

It is so sad to see how the leader takes the scriptures and teaches them from a perspective that will ensure he has something implanted in the saint that he can later draw on to accomplish whatever he desires. These desires could even include luring the member into sin. If the leader wants to drink, abuse drugs, gamble, be involved in ungodly sexual activity or any other fleshly desires that break the law of God, he will misuse the Word so that the member feels comfortable enough to either sin with the leader or overlook the leader’s sin.

John 10:1-13

1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

13The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

NEGATIVE MINDSETS FORMED AS A RESULT OF PASTORAL ABUSE

A mindset is the method by which we judge situations, circumstances and relationships and is formed through direct and indirect experiences. Several negative mindsets are formed as a result of saints being subjected to pastoral abuse.

FAILURE TO HAVE A PROPER UNDERSTANDING OF GOD’S CHARACTER

The victimized members are really robbed of the possibility of having a proper understanding of God’s true character. Since the leader has only taught them to know God through his own ways, they do not realize that God is a God of love and mercy. They cannot possibly understand God wants them to know Him for themselves and have a personal Father/Son relationship with Him. They have only been taught to see God only as a God of judgment who will deal with them harshly if they do not always remain in line.

Father/Son relationship with Him. They have only been taught to see God only as a God of judgment who will deal with them harshly if they do not always remain in line.