As you are speaking, I realize I was in an abusive spiritual authority situation for years. I didn’t want to admit it. I was given leadership responsibilities. I delighted in serving the Lord. In the end, the Lord said ENOUGH IS ENOUGH and He moved me away. I was naive and foolish. Thank you for speaking this stuff out. Darkness is dispelled by the light. 🙌

I lived in it for 2 years, and walking out healing and deliverance took me 6 years. It affected me so bad. Constantly in and out of hospitals, crying every single night because I missed the people I used to do ministry with. Being told I was missing out on the call of God over my life while I was working at a taco truck to help my parents, they were disabled at the time (who I was told were the reason I was so broken). I walked away from the Lord at one point because I was so angry. Thankfully, He delivered me, and now I love Jesus more than ever. I’m SO THANKFUL for those 6 years of deep pain, rejection etc. the Lord did a work in me that is so beautiful, and I realize now that I know Him for who He is, I know His voice, and I don’t have to depend on people to tell me what God is saying or doing, rather just get confirmation after He’s already spoken to me. It’s amazing. I hold no resentment or anger towards any of the people who hurt me, I have so much compassion and fear of the Lord for them because I know one day they will have to give an account, and that terrifies me. May God have mercy.

Thank you for addressing the "elitist spirit". I have been a christian for 40 years and 16 of those as part of the IHOP community. We were never on staff and are marketplace. However, my experience is that because I DID challenge attitudes and wrong ideas within the community I have been pushed to the fringe. They definitely did not welcome a voice of balance in small groups and other places. I think this is the elitist spirit that can't abide someone not on staff who is not in the inside group telling them a different point of view. And in all honesty it is usually men who can't allow a woman a voice.

What's healing is listening to two young leaders with integrity, honesty, insight & wisdom. It's a relief & a joy. Thank you both. Lovely family. 😊 Mary

"Breaking friendship when someone leaves" is a big problem in the church world I think. I found this out early on when I didn't know that's how things worked in Christianity. I got set down by leaders at my home church because I went to a bit out-of-the box meeting called the well where some young people had literally just gathered together to pray and worship without an official "pastor" present. The leaders, though they loved me, sat me down over this. I ended up meeting my wife at the place I got in trouble for going, so I find God has a sense of humor about it 😄

We ended up in what turned out to be a very controlling church. I watched other people incur the wrath (not an overstatement) of the pastor, including community members and members of their own family. I held a leadership role and heard every part of everyone's private business from the leaders as it was labeled "important for me to know what was happening" and who to allow on my team and for what reasons. People would leave and we would hear how they were rebellious or didn't get what was going on in our church where God was doing a new thing and moving us into new things that not everyone was ready for. Eventually that anger turned on us, on me. It was like I woke up one day and a light came on. God said to get out of there immediately and we did. Things continue to come up and I have to rely on Him to fix the hurts and misconceptions that had been ingrained in us. Now after 5 years some of our former congregants have begun reaching out to ask what happened and why we really left. Things started not making sense as to what they had been told. I pray that more people come out of these types of situations and realize that this is not how God intended for His church to behave. Thank you for shining a light in this area. Sadly it's much needed.

This is good. I would be surprised if anyone who has been in Christian circles any significant amount of time who cannot relate to at least one or more of your points…even if they won’t admit it.

Great mini teaching, brother. Please pray about putting it in a booklet-form. There is a great need for this in the body of Christ. God bless you!

I like that you were highlighting specific tactics of controlling Pentecostal churches, the control is the same in other denominations but the verbiage is different. You've alluded to the fact that many times Christians are discouraged from getting secular professional help when they are in a crisis of some sort. Unfortunately, women have a tendency to get very poor advice in church concerning marital problems and abusive home situations. Sad but true, there are many women that are encouraged to put themselves at great risk financially, physically, emotionally in the name of biblical marriage counseling.

Sadly every church my husband and I have left( which is not many), the people DO NOT have any more relationship with us. We have seen this with others too!! Where is the real church? We pray that God heals hearts. I am thankful for the Holy Spirit's wisdom in all this!!

Appreciate the boldness to go after spiritual abuse dynamics. Don’t be afraid to call it witchcraft. 😉

My husband and I started going to a charismatic church about 6 years ago and everyone was very relational and felt healthy for church family. Then certain teachings started popping up that were not really biblical. Their focus was more on prophecy and the gifts and I noticed they really didn’t teach exegetically through scripture or sometimes misinterpreted scripture. I started taking leadership classes on the request of my pastors which indoctrinated me into culture of honor. I was serving anyway I could. Then my pastor recommended I do this prophetic course which cost a ton of money through an “apostle” that they were connected to and had the course at our church. I was being taught things I had never heard about, I was excited. In reality some of the teaching would be considered Christian witchcraft. When I realized the church was going NAR I emailed one of my pastors with all my concerns but never heard a reply. I found out others had also voiced their opinions and left as well. The pastors believe that all of us confronting was just a spiritual attack on them and their progress because they were warned in a dream about it…

Great vid and insight. Don’t ever let someone take away your own still small voice since the sheep will always ultimately listen to the true Shepherd.

Thanking you for breaking this down to situations that many have experienced let alone we didn't even know signs of spiritual abuse everywhere and especially in ministry.

Blaise, you have wisdom beyond your years. You have clearly described dynamics that are characteristics of exclusive cessationist communities as well. I would add an exhortation to middle level leaders in these communities who feel they need to stay for the sake of the flock. 1- you will never be able to change the culture. 2- by staying you are keeping those who respect you in bondage.

Man, you described my old church to a T that I was in for 9.5 YEARS. I got out back in 2012 and it was the best decision I could have made. I would have been sad, single, lonely and still not fulfilling what I knew God had for me. And possibly even dead because the illness that I had was deemed all in my head, and I would be considered selfish if I tried to save up money for the life saving surgery needed instead of giving it to them. Thank you for making this video. I pray many people who are being held hostage by these cults are set free so they live the life that God has for them. For those stuck and feel like they can't get out because it is literally your whole life... trust the Lord. Make the first steps and He will lead the way! There was so much support for me when I had left that I had no idea was waiting for me. I am now happily married to the most incredible man, getting to do what I love every day (music). Whenever I would write a song or try to do anything to move forward, I was always told I was not ready and being prideful cause they had not mandated for me to do so. This would still be the case if I had stayed. No one was EVER ready to do anything. There is so much joy and freedom outside of this oppression!

That was a whole lot of wisdom, sound insights and advice. God bless you and your family, Blaise!

The both of you do a great Job. you have been the single best source of info and Godly reflection out there...

You talked about something that has been going on all my life in our church and it is taken as normal.

All of this is completely accurate. It’s not uncommon sadly. Everyone should hear this podcast.

Simple signs to look for… thank you for this practical advice. Bless you and your family, Blaise!

Yes! Been waiting on this video. Hope there’s more to come. So thankful for you guys.

Blaise, I really appreciate what you are doing. It's so wonderful to hear a man speak up to confront abuse and uphold justice. Your love for people is evident and your humility is such a contrast to the arrogance of these abusers. Please keep reporting and speaking. You have a unique voice. I'm praying for you as you confront and speak. May God strengthen you, brother.

Wow! Thanks for this. I saw myself/behavior in the past and was able to repent. Praise the Lord!

I realize I've been a bit caustic in my comments so far. The reason for that is pretty simple. I find the thought of sacrificing my agency to a "spiritual leader" outrageous. That's because the world is full of predators... even and perhaps especially in the church. Look at the way such leaders are idolized (and I use that word intentionally). Then ask yourself what type of people are going to be drawn to such a system. You can get all kinds of status without earning it. Just claim to have a direct pipeline to the Lord and you're set. The problem is that if you, or I, or anyone else for that matter, questions what has supposedly been revealed to them we aren't challenging them, we are challenging the Lord Himself. And the community as a whole will react to you accordingly. They have to. Their own identities are on the line. You become an agent of the Destroyer, trying to derail God's work, blah blah blah. It's happened to me more than once. The world is often hard to navigate. Knowing what's what and how we should respond can be really difficult. We can solve the problem by latching on to someone who claims to have everything figured out and just follow them. This gives us a false security and absolves us of ultimate responsibility for our choices. We're just doing what the Lord tells us (through His designated spokesmen) to do. Yep. If you think He's going to accept that excuse when you stand before Him, I pity you.

Great Book on the subject Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse DAVID JOHNSON JEFF VAN VONDEREN

Excellent breakdown of this vile spirit that has run rampant for decades. The Lord is now allowing exposure and I pray these leaders genuinely repent and allow the Lord to heal them. I pray for the victims to come to know the truth that they are loved and so very precious to their heavenly Father. God is absolutely good.

Yes, Blaise! Great insight and teaching!

You are so right brother have seen this exactly in church and basically what it boils down to we all in the body if Christ need to respect one another's walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. He is our lord. He us leading and guiding us is at work within us both to will and to do of His good pleasure. We're never told to be under the control of man

Blaise, I know that this video is old, but I want to sincerely thank you for making this video. I listened to this back then about four months after the IHOPKC scandal broke out, and it helped me out of the fog of gaslighting that I have felt about the house of prayer that I used to serve in. Almost everything that you said felt horrifyingly familiar to my situation, and having been involved in it for 10 years plus in my 20s to early 30s, it felt like I finally came up for air after years of being spiritually abused. I've denounced the toxic beliefs of the house of prayer movement, and have, like what you said, cut my losses in terms of the ministry relationship with many leaders and friends in the house of prayer (of which, I pray that despite the fact that we can't minister together anymore under the same HOP theology, they would still consider me a sister in the faith, as how I consider them my brothers and sisters in faith). I watched this again today because I started to question again, "Was I really spiritually abused?", and felt affirmed that I'm not crazy or wrong to think so. It really helps in making sure I don't get re-gaslighted into feeling like I'm crazy to think that I was spiritually abused. Thank you, Blaise, and also Christina, for your ministry. It has touched me and helped me greatly in my healing journey.

Brilliant balanced teaching. Thankyou 🎉

If they call a man's wife a Jezebel -- they are inferring the husband is an Ahab.

This is an excellent video. We have been there and had to RUN! Thank you and keep speaking out on spiritual abuse.

I've been under all the above in the past. Spot On.

Good job on the teaching! Appreciate it.

I applaud you & your wife Blaise, you're doing a great thing as well, I can see your own deliverance at hand in this The NAR web is a sticky thing & it takes years, if not decades to get out

Greetings from Melbourne Australia 🇦🇺 I agree with everything you have stated in this episode and the spiritual abuse that can exist in the charismatic community. This led me to do more research on the history of some of these Pentecostal/Charismatic prophets including Paul Cain and Bob Jones not just taking the words of others as gospel. How about listening to other dissenting testimonies also? Getting a balanced perspective on everything I took for granted as being true because I trusted the testimony of others. I found some examples of where to look in regards to historical research in contrast to the terrible Gods Generals fictional novel written by the disgraced Roberts Lairdon (who admitted to having a homosexual relationship with a youth pastor and only stood down from ministry for three months). I just took that history as correct and didn't know that it is one of the worst researched books out there. When I was a charismatic I also just believed the testimony's of others about people rather than doing the research for myself and finding multiple testimonies that might be saying something else other than what I wanted to hear about that person. Its exactly the same with this whole Mike Bickle case. Many still won't agree that Mike did anything wrong or don't think he should be stepped down out of ministry all together whilst others who have a more balanced approach to hear all of the voices and testimonies available and come up with a more informed response to the whole situation. This is why it's important to have another good look at some of these so called charismatic/Pentecostal leaders of the past and find out for ourselves how problematic these were not just at the end of their "ministry" but also from the very beginning. For example, John Alexander Dowie was a crook from the beginning when he fled Australia. Just like TB Joshua, all the so called miracles of Dowie were false and faked and just hype. John Alexander Dowie was a conman not just at the end as we were led to believe. He was wearing his ridiculous Elijah garb in Australia before we fled to San Francisco. All his so called miracles were just a myth. John G Lake who is highly revered in charismatic circles had all sorts of issues and allegations about him and other voices and testimonies calling him out well well before he fled to South Africa. Why don't we hear about this? Why did he flee to South Africa? What is the fruit of his ministry in South Africa? Why can't we listen to those voices too just like in the Mike Bickle case and find out if what we heard or read about these guys is really true. William Branham was an an absolute charlatan from the very beginning, all the so called amazing miracles he supposedly performed are all an absolute myth. He wasn't a gifted Christian preacher at all. He didn't even have a gift of the Holy Spirit. Please research it. Find out from some guys who actually grew up in the message cult and have uncovered a whole lot of facts about who the real William Branham was that we didn't read about in the Gods generals book. Right from the beginning and right till his death he was a fake. All the amazing gifts he had and supposedly performed were all a lie a charismatic myth. We have been fed a whole lot of myths amongst the charismatic community because we truly want to believe all the miracles we heard or read about were absolute true but were just plain myths that grew into a reality. I agree with you on that the errors and manipulations should be exposed and avoided. We must all be seeking a return to biblical orthodoxy and not just believing everything we hear about no matter how great it sounds and tickles our ears. Thanks for the updates. Keep up the great work from both you and your wife. God bless. Andrew.

I've walked with Jesus for 35 years, and am single by choice. I find most married Christian couples are deluded into thinking that because God has given them a spouse and children, that 'they've arrived."... that "they know everything there is to know..." that "they automatically have earned leadership in the church." The immaturity with married couples today is scary for me. I call it the "religion of marriage," and it has nothing to do with growth in Jesus Christ. The Duggar family is the prime example of this. I've left many churches because the male married pastors were 'hitting on me" as a single lady. It's being observed that "Christians" who felt forced to take the c0v1d jabs are truly not following our precious Holy Spirit.

Thank you so much for this. Sooo many people need to hear this.

This is eye opening. Thank you!

So good and spot on. For those that doubt a pastor would counsel and pressure a spouse away from her husband….it happens. My wife and ministry partner ended our 20 year marriage as she was secretly being counseled by our pastor.

Here’s two more examples of Spiritual abuse…. Calling someone a Pharisee for studying Scripture on a topic or telling someone they are blaspheming the Holy Spirit when they ask questions about your perceived move of God.

Appreciate you and your sweet wife so much and you can go ahead and call it a cult in good conscience, brother. It has all the hallmarks

Thank you so much !!

You are 💯 right ✅️ it's heart breaking 💔

What was the wisdom in having TB PREACH ar Forerunner yesterday??

At the same time, people should NOT be in ministry if they don't have the character to hold their gifts. That is the making of a spiritual abuser, someone who doesn't have that strong godly character. Pastors should absolutely pastor their flock in not putting someone in leadership that does not have the character, even if they DO have strong prophetic, evangelistic, or deliverance giftings. Regarding spiritual abuse, it's not always the pastor or even a leader. A lot of times, it's someone who's just a typical church member. Therefore, I would also encourage people to not allow just anyone to speak into their lives. It needs to be a trusted friend. It needs to be someone whose character has been observed over time.

Thank you for this!

I grew up in a hatefilled, judgmental, ‘church’ with a mean minister who was not a ‘minister’ at all. In ways, the spiritual abuse has never left me.

When loyalty, submission, and obedience are demanded- of course God does desire our loyalty, submission, and obedience, but it is a freewill offering. All of our involvement in an organizations is a freewill offering, it is not duty-bound. We have to treat every person as a free man because they are.

Very good info..one of many incidence come to mind in my Christian walk. 30+ years ago..I approached my then Pastor..about a dream the Lord gave me to go a specific church ..a start up. Initially i was not excited about it. When I spoke to the Pastor..i literally saw his countenance charge..it was so drastic..i thought i saw fangs. I eventually obeyed the Lord, through another witness..so awesome. The youth Pastor was inside a huge inflated black whale..he was inside painting the ribs on its side. I immediately got the message..I was Jonah 😂 and i was inside that whale. I obeyed. ❤

Church hurt and religious abuse happens in many churches. Some worse than others. Are the abusers confronted? Are they humble and repent? Most of the time its about control and manipulation. Mean and pride culture. Is more common than sexual abuse.

Sadly I went to a church like this... the covering umbrella was taught all the time and even stories about death and turmoil for people when they left. And nobody was allowed to hang around with those who left or were "on their way out." Took me 2 years to leave out of fear of what would happen to me if I left. Absolutely manipulative. God help us all.

How can anyone trust the prophetic word from man... because they feel right? You have to test it from Scripture anyway. These men have special access to confidential info of many in their networks. Tread carefully and do not allow ppl to lay hands on you too readily.

Me and my wife were in it for 16 years and walked away 3 years ago!

This sounds like grooming. Not about mentoring but controlling. Thanks.🎉❤

So appreciate u & Christina! Thank u.

Hey yo Blaise, if you read through your comments and are open to requests, I am about 9 minutes in on the Tracey Bickle speech. I was getting over that her mannerisms strike me as Mike Bickle, you know, and my wondering of why she's on the stage specifically...but I'm only about 9 minutes in, and it seems to me (couched in pretty 'Christian language') she is starting to insinuate the 'spirit of Cain' ie 'murder' onto the present situation and those who are 'not getting what they want.' In the context of IHOP presently standing off with their law firm against Boz, idk bro. Seems suspect. Are they still playing the black horse manipulation game from stage - just shifting gears on the language? Even the way she's magnifying grace. Okay, then receive GRACE - as they were petitioned for to begin with. Haha I should probably just do a video on it myself but these people are hurting my brain at this point 🤦‍♂Your fighting spiritual 'kryptonite' for many, this spiritual abuse/manipulation that has demobilized so many. If you get a chance to speak to it in your next update? If not, no worries. Thanks for this, your channel has been a blessing to my wife and I 🙏

Misty Edwards statement...I just spotted this morning...after I already finished the Tracey Bickle video 😑 Today is her birthday bro. I feel compelled to speak. But uhhh...I'm done...the Lord rebukes me to "stop trusting in mere humans" (Isaiah 2:22) 🥺 😵🥴🤮🥵🥶🤯🤒🤕😶

Great info! Thank You!

Wow I’ve experienced a lot of this through the years been saved for39 years…

" you become your own apostle on your own mountain" mic drop! 😭

Gaslighting is one example of abuse

Wow. You mentioned Bill Gothard of the IBLP. I had thought about that whole organization, and seen some similarities between that organization and IHOP.

So good to hear this. Thanks

Spot on!

Excellent

I think it ALL goes back to forsaking the Word of God. It’s such a shame that this crazy stuff has been going on much longer than it first appeared. They do not love the truth. 😥

Omg first ive ever heard that about Roberts Liardon!! 😮 Wiw! Did not know that!! 🤦🏻

When are you going to do a piece on TD Jakes and some Commentators have remained silent because it's a Black church Jesus doesn't distinguish race in the Body of Christ .

Abuse? False doctrine and dangerous non-biblical practices cause harm “Started following #mikebickle at age 15. The mysticism is the primary thing that drew me. I prayed in silence hours a day for 3 years before I moved to #ihopkc. Ppl often do not know how some kinds of #meditation can be invasive psychologically. Esp “inner healing”. Mysticism made abuse (all kinds) at IHOPKC easier.

"I saw demons circling your husband's head when he was in the prayer room" - Dale Anderson 🙄

I'm really dealing with this right now. Please pray for me

✅

Because she grew up Pentecostal like I did They teach and live in much more of fear of the Lord, and awesome fear. They would never ever speak the Thus saith the Lord, unless we absolutely knew it was God Anddd and if it didn’t come true… they would they would not welcome back to the church unrepented…you see the difference? I think we need to go back to that

Hi Blaise and Christina, I hope you don't mind, but I think it's important to mention that recently I watched a video in which Rick Joyner says it's ok to take the Mark of the Beast. I found this disturbing, especially as this could potentially influence 'baby' or immature christians when the time comes, and the implications for anyone making the wrong choice - taking the Mark - are terrifying (Revelation 14 verses 9-11). You can check by searching: 'Rick Joyner Says Taking the Mark of the Beast Isn't The Sin', video by Revealing Truth. The video is 3:09 mins. Posted: 3/1/2024.

😂 love your honesty!

The covering and submission doctrines really mess with your head. They talk about submitting to God but switch it. Submit to the Word and Truth, and you find the path.

In the charismatic definition of a “Jezebel spirit”, are men (ie MB) excluded??

henchmen... like Jezebel was for Ahab. She did the dirty work he wanted done. Bro, some things that people ought to understand and look for: financial accountability, leadership structure, statement of faith, bylaw and constitutions. a lot of red flags can be detected in observing those things before ever getting involved

Your thresholds in 20min went from 1 to 18 likes, be avised

You were to young at 18.

I have lissen to you alot, and much of what u saying here is right. BUT u dont even read the Bible in this. So this is 100 % ur lived experiens or your guessing. It would have been better with a biblestudie about this. But keep up the good work on the other episodes.

You need to operate in your arena of experience and expertise. Sell insurance. Don’t dabble in spiritual abuse. You are way over your head and out of your depth. This is not the time to play amateur counselor. I am very serious. You can do more harm than that which has been done. I suggest that you read the books of the criminal profiler John Douglas before you attempt to identify the nefarious agents of spiritual abuse. Then go to a local district court and observe several criminal trials involving criminal sexual penetration accusations and wait for the jury's verdict. Then schedule to return for sentencing. There you get the whole package. I still remember a high collar pastor giving character testimony on behalf of a monstrous criminal offender I had convicted. What a dispicable minister. So get some practice under your belt before you even consider giving advice on anything but salesmanship.

Some businesses are like this too !