Healing wounds caused by the misuse of Spiritual authority

by Taylor Smith
Spring 2017

When our four–year–old son was healed of a malformed esophagus valve during a fifteen–minute hands–on prayer appointment at Christian Healing Ministries (CHM), it radically changed our family’s lives and our theology. We had never prayed for healing before, nor received prayers for healing. We only went to the Open Prayer night at CHM out of respect for the mother of my best friend, who had been relentlessly encouraging us to go.

At the time, my wife Kathi and I were very involved in a conservative Bible church. We did not know that the Lord was still physically healing people through hands–on prayers. The healing of our son was like the dawn of a new day; it was as if our Christian faith was a chair with only three legs until that night and had just instantly grown a fourth leg! We were so excited to share the news that the Lord was still healing people!

When we told our pastor what had happened and asked if we could give a testimony in front of the church, we were taken aback by his response. He did not want us to give a testimony nor talk about the “healing” of our son to the church members, because he said our church did not practice that tradition, and he said that there were sick people in our congregation who might be discouraged by our testimony since they would still be sick. Our pastor did not doubt that the healing had occurred, and he was truly pleased for us, but we couldn’t understand his decision, and we didn’t know how we could keep such good news “under the table.” We left the meeting hurt and confused, yet feeling obliged to honor him as our spiritual leader. The wound that we received did not go away until we received inner healing years later.

Misuse of spiritual authority (a.k.a. spiritual abuse) can cause wounds when someone in authority within a church, family or faith community takes away our rightful God–given spiritual freedom. Often misuse of authority comes through well–meaning people. David Henke said: “Spiritual abuse has a very prominent place in the Bible, though that terminology has not been used until recently. In the scripture it is called bondage to men and the traditions of men. It is a by–product and outgrowth of legalism, which is bondage to the letter of the law.” [David Henke, Spiritual Abuse in the Bible? Watchman Fellowship, watchman.org]

Jesus experienced the misuse of spiritual authority when he healed the man with the deformed hand in the synagogue on the Sabbath.

Our spiritual freedom is given to us by the Father, and we are guided by the Holy Spirit, the living Word and our faith communities (i.e. the church). Jesus sets out his unique mandate for Christian leadership within the church: “But Jesus called them to Himself and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.” (Matthew 20:25–27, NIV) We are in relationship with others, including those placed in spiritual authority. The good news is that the Lord uses relationships to fill us with joy and the fullness of life. While leadership and authority are part of God’s plan for his church, the reality is that there are wounded leaders in our churches, our families and in our broader faith communities.

The misuse of spiritual authority can occur in a wide array of situations, some obvious and tragic, such as sexual abuse by leaders, and some more subtle, such as when leaders speak “on behalf of God” and imply that any disagreement with their words or opinions equates to disobeying the Lord. Traditions and family patterns, whether spoken or unspoken, can become catalysts for spiritual abuse, such as conforming to a mandatory dress code or behavior for church attendance. Control and manipulation in the name of “order” and “righteousness” are examples of the misuse of spiritual authority. Self–preservation and pain avoidance are huge motivators and tools of the enemy. Even with the best intentions and love, as parents we often overlap our spiritual authority with parenting and thereby “overstep” our boundaries. Paul reminds us “Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.” (Colossians 3:21, NIV)

One of my business partners told me that the reason he had not attended a single church service since his teen years was because his only memory of church was the punishment he received for his youthful behavior in “church” from the leaders who ran his school. Others have been wounded by well–meaning spiritual leaders who connect the degree of God’s love and favor with the amount of money that one gives to that ministry or person. Sometimes we are told that all it takes to be healed is faith, so if we are still sick then it is because of our lack of faith. This form of subtle judgment can wound. Spiritual abuse can occur in public settings in which verbal judgments are pronounced from the pulpit, or even from public humiliation that accompanies the “discipline” of a church member. Other times, neglect during a time of need or crisis can leave one feeling abandoned by their faith community. Some leaders seek power and popularity and a culture of inner circles, attributing holiness with access to the pastor or leader. Followers will seek to please the person in authority but will never be able to please them, which creates a type of bondage.

A person who has been a victim of spiritual abuse may experience a range of feelings and beliefs that can include shame, self–condemnation, a sense of failure, a loss of joy, a sense of confusion or numbness, unworthiness, anger (and even rage) towards their spiritual leader(s), fear of the leader and/or fear of God. They may exhibit various types of physical sicknesses, especially stress–related symptoms.

When I pray for someone who has experienced this kind of emotional trauma, I try to listen and love with patience. The wounds they have received are real. As prayer ministers, we are not called to render judgment or even to provide advice. When praying, the Holy Spirit will guide us, and he knows what is needed.

It may be important for the wounded person to renounce lies from the enemy such as self–condemnation, guilt or self–judgment. Sometimes the Holy Spirit leads a person to break inner vows by renouncing them and asking forgiveness from the Lord, which has the wonderful effect of freeing us from harmful thoughts and behaviors.

Forgiveness can be a powerful tool, and can provide immediate release and a sense of freedom. Lack of forgiveness, over time, can trap, paralyze and spiritually blind us. Forgiveness shifts the burden of justice from our shoulders to the Lord’s shoulders.

As CHM prayer ministers, we also pray for inner healing, in which case we invite Jesus into the memories of abuse, so he can heal and restore. Our constant companion, the Holy Spirit, can lead, guide and bring comfort in these situations.

Taylor Smith is a member of CHM's Board of Trustees and speaker at many of CHM's schools and conferences.