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How to Know if You Are Being Spiritually Abused or Deceived—A Spiritual Abuse Questionnaire. NEW BOOKLET: How to Know if You Are Being Spiritually Abused or Deceived—A Spiritual Abuse Questionnaire by Chris Lawson is our newest Lighthouse Trails Booklet Tract. Quantity discounts are as much as 5. Our Booklets are designed to give away to others or for your own personal use. Below is a portion of the content of the booklet.

Relationships and Dating in the Bible. Does the Bible say anything about dating? No, but it does describe relationships. If "dating" is defined as two single friends. Friendships — Follow these tips to make and sustain lasting friendships. Looking for a completely countercultural path to marriage? Here's how to apply God's Word to dating, finding a spouse and getting married. Before continuing with this article, please review the preamble included at the beginning of Scott's first article in this series, "Biblical Dating: How It's.

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The full booklet has 1. To order copies of How to Know if You Are Being Spiritually Abused or Deceived—A Spiritual Abuse Questionnaire, click here. How to Know if You Are Being Spiritually Abused or Deceived—A Spiritual Abuse Questionnaire. By Chris Lawson. Do you know a loved one, a neighbor, or a co- worker who is in a cult or an abusive church or group? Or perhaps you yourself are in such a situation.

The Spiritual- Abuse Questionnaire in this booklet will help shed light on this issue. Spiritual abuse occurs when a leader, a church, or a belief system, whether well intentioned or not, dominates, manipulates, or castigates individuals and even entire families through fear tactics, mind control, or some other psychological or emotional abuse. Sadly, the mask of spiritual abuse deception can be worn by anyone. The following two Scriptures are reflective of what happens when the position of authority is abused within a spiritual/church setting (e. The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means ? Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.

As you read each question, circle either YES or NO. When you reach the end, go back through the list and prayerfully consider the questions you have answered YES to. Answering YES to any of the following questions may be an indication of an unhealthy problem in your group or with your leaders. Answering YES to more than just a few questions is a definite cause for concern. If this is the case, it is recommended that you take a much closer look into your group or organization’s history, purpose, and goals. Observe closely the methods, activities, and lives of the leaders.

Are they using abusive and manipulative tactics on people? The basic Yes or No questions of this questionnaire enable the reader to think critically on his or her own—something generally not allowed in abusive systems. IMPORTANT NOTE: Please note also that while this booklet can be a useful tool in helping to bring clarity to difficulties in a church or ministry, the questions offered here should also be tempered with careful thought and godly counsel.

Answering yes to just a few questions does not automatically mean you are in a cult or abusive situation. One thing for certain is that every church or group is composed of fallible people who are not always as loving as they should be. Nor should we expect to be in a place where there is no authority over us. Be reflective, therefore, to your answers to the following questions with the goal of being fair to both your church or group and to yourself. QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR CHURCH OR GROUP’S LEADERSAre you in any way fearful of your leader(s)? YES / NODoes your church or group revolve around one main charismatic personality who is the final arbiter of “truth”? YES / NODo your leaders make claims of being “Anointed,” having “Elijah’s Mantle,” having “Apostolic Authority,” etc.?

YES / NODoes the main leader or the leaders in your church or group always insist that they are right? YES / NODoes your group, church, or movement employ a corrupted modern- day version of the Moses/Aaron style of leadership where the pastor/leaders allegedly—by themselves—hear directly from God, like Moses? YES / NOIs you group, church, or movement set up like a pyramid, with a hierarchy—with one single man at the top? YES / NOAre you discouraged or prohibited from freely asking questions about the background of your leader(s) and your group? YES / NOIf so, are you looked down upon and considered to be divisive? YES / NOWould you be rebuked or chastised/punished by your leader(s) if you researched the background and history of the group and its leader(s)? For instance, would doing a background check on your leader be considered “disloyal” or “sinful”?

YES / NOAre you discouraged or prohibited from freely discussing teachings, “prophecies,” or so- called new revelations that your group leader(s) has/have stated in the past or present? YES / NOAre you allowed to ask your leader(s) questions regarding their background in ministry, education, teaching, policies, etc.? If not, why? YES / NODo you view those who are assisting your group or church pastor/leader as ones who simply “do what they are told” rather than people who can rationally think for themselves and if need be would not be afraid to confront the main leader(s) if questionable practices/teachings arise?

YES / NOAre the leaders of your group, church, or organization above reproach (without blame) in morals, ethics, teaching, and the handling of your groups finances? How do you know? YES / NODo any of your leaders have a criminal record?

YES / NOWould your leader(s) allow you to freely ask questions or research their background in order to find out if they have a criminal record? If not, why? YES / NOHas anyone in your group ever tried to persuade you to NOT research the personal background of the leaders? YES / NOWhen issues are brought up about abusive situations, do your leaders say, “You just need to have more faith!” or, “You are being disloyal to leadership!”? YES / NOQUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR GROUP AND ITS TEACHINGSDo you feel your group twists or takes Scripture out of its historical context and consistently or often misapplies Bible verses? YES / NODoes your group or church “allegorize” and “spiritualize” Scripture instead of utilizing a literal, grammatical, historical approach to interpreting documents, like you would in any legitimate Bible college or court of law? YES / NOAre you told what you will believe; and is questioning authority and doing further research on your own, aside from the group, discouraged or frowned upon?

YES / NOAre you guided through the Bible by your leaders but at the same time not allowed to study the Scriptures on your own, apart from the group or organization’s own published materials? YES / NODo your leaders claim to receive “new revelations,” a special “anointing,” and so- called “words” or messages from God? YES / NODo your leaders withhold or avoid providing you and your group with a written “Statement of Beliefs” or “Statement of Faith”? YES / NOIf you attend a group that is a recognized charity organization, have the leaders illegally withheld from you the organizations written bylaws when you have asked for a copy?

YES / NOIs it difficult to get a straight answer from the group leader(s) on the group’s teachings? YES / NOIs your group secretive about any of its teachings, practices or meetings? YES / NODoes your group take “oaths” or have you commit to unrealistic expectations? YES / NOAre your leaders ever “harsh” in tone with you, or do you ever feel like an animal that is “driven hard”?

YES / NOHave you been taught, told, or commanded not to share any of the teachings, doctrines, or practices that your group is involved in? YES / NOAt any time of involvement with your group, have you ever been instructed to cut all ties with the past, with relatives (spouse, children, in- laws, etc.), or with friends? Sex Dating In Prichard Alabama here. YES / NODo your leaders favorably quote and endorse known false teachers and false teachings in their own sermons/teachings, messages, and materials? YES / NOQUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR GROUP OR CHURCH’S POLICIESDoes your group have any written or unwritten policies that allows leaders to use threats, pressures to conform, bribes, intimidation, verbal abuse, out- loud shaming, physical abuse, sexual abuse, or substance abuse, etc.? YES / NOIs foul language (cussing) or public humiliation used in any way as part of the public or private teaching within your group?

YES / NOWould you say that your church or group has an extreme policy or guidelines for “disciplinary actions”? YES / NOIs, or could, your group’s policy on “discipline” be dangerous, illegal, or abusive in any way? YES / NODo you think law enforcement officials would have a problem with the disciplinary guidelines and/or practices of your church, group, or organization? YES / NODoes your group restrict you from “visiting” other churches? YES / NOQUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR GROUP’S LITERATURE AND MULTIMEDIADo you rely completely, without question, upon the literature and information that your church/group gives you—for your own spiritual growth? YES / NOWill you be disciplined if you ever, at any time, listen to, read, or view literature and multi- media materials that are not from your group, church, or organization?

Materials could include such things as books, journals, tracts, magazines, newsletters, CDs, DVDs, audio cassettes, videos, websites, etc. YES / NOAre you only allowed to use study aids, books, etc. Mature Dating Discret Uk.

YES / NOHave your leaders ever told you that all Bible study materials outside of your group are considered worldly, bad, apostate, “of the devil,” or evil? YES / NOQUESTIONS ABOUT MORALS AND ETHICS, HEALTH, AND CONSCIENCEAre you emotionally dependent on or require the “approval” of your leaders for what you do—what you eat, what you wear, where you go, what you say, who you spend time with, who you marry, the music you listen to, etc.? YES / NODo you feel as though your life (or ministry) is being “micromanaged” by others? YES / NOAre your leaders cruel, vindictive, intimidating, or overbearing? YES / NODo any of your leaders justify sexual immorality by telling you or anyone else things like “God told me it is okay for us to do this,” or “The Lord revealed this to me,” or “No one will ever know”?