I have seen good Christians exploited by fellow Christians in the name of religion. Paul warned the church of Corinth about this, he said: “For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 11:13.

He went on to outline some examples of abuse: “You gladly put up with fools since you are so wise! In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or puts on airs or slaps you in the face.” 2 Corinthians 11:19-20

How can you avoid spiritual abuse?

  1. Don’t accept everything in the name of religion.
    Paul said, “You gladly put up with fools.”
  2. Don’t be enslaved by religion.
    To be enslaved is to be totally controlled by another. We are to submit to authority, but every authority has its limits.
  3. Don’t be exploited by religion.
    I know someone who was sexually exploited in the name of healing.
  4. Don’t let people take advantage of you.
    I have seen people forced to marry people they don’t love or like.
  5. Don’t let people demean you.
    To put on airs means to behave as if you are better than another person.
  6. Don’t be physically abused.
    People have been chained, beaten, and starved in the name of deliverance.

Check everything with scripture and be discerning.

Kakra Baiden