7 Characteristics of Spiritual Abuse and Spiritual Witchcraft Attacks

What is Spiritual Abuse?

Lots of people have heard the phrase “church hurt” or know someone that says they have experienced it. And then there are those that have never heard of the term until they themselves experienced it. But what exactly does that mean? What is Spiritual Abuse? 

Spiritual Abuse is defined as the use of spiritual or religious beliefs and practices to dominate or control another human being. 

Why Does Spiritual Abuse Happen?

Spiritual Abuse happens when someone of authority or in a leadership position exerts their power over another human being. It can be done alongside other forms of abuse such as domestic violence, and emotional abuse. It includes psychological manipulation and harm inflicted on a person by using the teachings of their religion. This can also be a product of what is termed in the Bible as “witchcraft” or “sorcery.”

The thing to know about Spiritual Abuse is that it doesn’t just happen in the church as church hurts. It can happen with an individual that may not be at your church that is operating in the role of a mentor or trusted advisor. 

Spiritual Abuse can also happen through witchcraft, where an individual who is operating as a spiritual mentor or advisor uses witchcraft to manipulate and control another person to get them to do what they want or to invoke harm upon them. This can be done by abusing the gift of prophecy to tell another person what God said, when God never spoke. 

This is why it is so important for you to seek God for yourself. God intended for all of us to have a relationship with him. It isn’t just your Pastor or Mentor that can hear the voice of God. You can too! “Whoever belongs to God hears what God says” (John 8:47). This doesn’t disqualify wise counsel though. God put people in place to help shepherd and lead His people. Ask the Lord for godly wisdom when seeking counsel from leadership. 

 Psychological Manipulation 

Sometimes a person operating in Spiritual Abuse will use psychological manipulation. This psychological manipulation can also include something known as “gaslighting.” Gaslighting is a type of psychological abuse that occurs when an abuser manipulates or falsifies information and circumstances to make the targeted person doubt their perceptions, their memories, and their sanity. 

        What Are the Characteristics of Spiritual Abuse and Spiritual Witchcraft Attacks?

Spiritual Abuse can be tricky. You may not even recognize that it is happening to you until it is over. It is important to know the signs so you can act. 

What are these signs? There are certain characteristics that are distinct to Spiritual Abuse and Spiritual Witchcraft Attacks. I will give you 7 characteristics of them here but do know that there are many more. I suggest that you consult the Lord and ask Him if there is anything else in your life that you may be overlooking, first. Second, I also give a detailed list in my book “Walking in Victory: Freedom from Spiritual Abuse” for reference. 

1.  You feel as though you have lost your identity.

-Your identity is in Christ. Your identity is not defined by other people. You are no longer a slave! You have been adopted and now are an heir to Christ. You have been given a brand-new identity!

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (1 Peter 2:9-10 ESV). 

1. They sometimes use scripture to try and control and manipulate you.

-God said these false teachers/prophets will deceive many. They manipulate and control you by twisting scripture, adding or removing parts of it.

“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15 ESV).

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in the latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron” (1 Timothy 4:1-2 NKJV). 

1.  They use soul ties or spiritual ties to control their victim.

-Although the term “soul ties” isn’t in the bible, there is a bond or a physical, spiritual, or emotional attachment that can be created between people. For example, there are godly and ungodly soul ties or attachments such as a husband and wife joining together as one in marriage, or the close bond of a brother or sister such as in the case of David and Jonathan in the bible.

“As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul” (1 Samuel 18:1).  

1. You feel tired or fatigued when you know you shouldn’t be. 

-God didn’t design for us to be emotionally and physically drained. There is rest in God.

“Come to Me all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Mathew 11:28-29 ESV).  

1. They operate in witchcraft.

-Just because we may not see the witchcraft being done doesn’t mean that it isn’t happening. The Lord said for us not to be ignorant of Satan’s devices. But we must also remember that people are not our problem. We wrestle not against flesh and blood. Before we start accusing others of operating in witchcraft, we should earnestly seek the Lord in prayer concerning it and let the Holy Spirit guide us into all truth. 

“There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord, and because of these abominations the Lord your God drives them out from before you. You shall be blameless before the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 18:10-13).

1. They are not just manipulators in the church, but at home and work as well. 

-As stated previously, spiritual abuse doesn’t just happen in the church. There are many individuals that are experiencing this abuse at home and while on the job.

We should never try to exert control over other human beings. We should never try to distort truth for our own selfish desires. 

“You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability” (2 Peter 3:17). 

1. You always feel like you are falling short of their expectations. 

God never intended for you to be controlled and manipulated by another person. God is in control of our lives. We are to work as unto the Lord. 

“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10 ESV)

                                     There is Freedom in Christ 

God reminds us in His word that there is freedom in Christ. John 8:36 declares, “Who the son sets free is free indeed!” Christ died to give you this freedom. 

Prayer 

Father God, because of your son Jesus we are no longer slaves. I am free to live the abundant life you have given me. Father, you are near to the broken hearted and bind up all their wounds. Thank you for healing and setting me free. Wash my mind and heart with the truth of your Word. Help me to live out your truth daily in Jesus’ name. Amen.