Spiritual Abuse Series: When the Priests Rule Without God's Authority

In Jeremiah 5 the prophet relays a list of God’s charges against the house of Israel. Beginning in verse 26 he says, “For wicked men are found among my people…they set a trap; they catch men.” Here is God’s lament over the situation: “An appalling and horrible thing has happened in the land. The prophets prophecy falsely, and the priests rule on their own authority.” (vv. 30-31)

Notice that abuse is happening from a place of religious authority. Spiritual abuse can only come from a place of power or perceived power…The abuser only has to be perceived as someone who has power and authority in order to be in a place of leverage in which their words and actions can wound. (Also see Jeremiah 6:13-14)

--The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse, p. 30