Episode 6: 3/3 Spiritual Abuse with Maria Volpe

Summary
In this conversation, Tina Motley interviews Maria Volpe about her experience with spiritual abuse. Maria shares her journey of longing to know Jesus from a young age and how that desire made her vulnerable to manipulation. She explains that spiritual abuse occurs when desire is intentionally manipulated, just like in other forms of manipulation.
Maria also discusses the role of closed systems in perpetuating abuse, where the authority and power of the abuser are emphasized, and individuality is suppressed. She shares her personal story of being groomed and isolated by a spiritual leader who exploited her desire for God. Despite recognizing the abuse, she blamed herself and continued to allow it. Tina highlights the dynamics of internalizing blame and the complexity of covert spiritual abuse.
Covert spiritual abuse can happen on a large platform or in a smaller dynamic like a husband and wife relationship. It is manipulative and deceptive, using Christian language and scripture verses to control and silence others. The responsibility of safeguarding against spiritual abuse lies with every believer, and it is important to speak up and protect those who are being abused. The lack of advocacy and support can cause additional trauma for the victims.
Authentic community is a safeguard against spiritual abuse, where people have vulnerable and authentic relationships that allow for accountability and support.
Keywords: spiritual abuse, manipulation, desire, vulnerability, closed systems, authority, power, grooming, isolation, blame, covert abuse, covert spiritual abuse, manipulation, deception, Christian language, scripture verses, safeguarding, advocacy, authentic community, healing
Takeaways

• Desire makes individuals vulnerable to manipulation in any aspect of life, including spirituality.

• Spiritual abuse occurs when desire is intentionally manipulated, exploiting the longing to know God.

• Closed systems, where authority and power are emphasized and individuality is suppressed, perpetuate spiritual abuse.

• Victims of spiritual abuse often blame themselves and continue to allow the abuse.

• Covert spiritual abuse can be complex and difficult to recognize, leading to internalized blame. Covert spiritual abuse can happen on a large platform or in a smaller dynamic like a husband and wife relationship.

• Authentic community is a safeguard against spiritual abuse, where people have vulnerable and authentic relationships that allow for accountability and support.

• Healing from spiritual abuse requires both spiritual and therapeutic approaches.

• It is the responsibility of every believer to speak up and protect those who are being spiritually abused.

• Understanding Spiritual Abuse: Manipulation of Desire


• Recognizing Covert Spiritual Abuse: A Complex Reality Unmasking Covert Spiritual Abuse

• Healing from Spiritual Abuse: A Holistic Approach


• "We become more susceptible to spiritual deception when we want to find something deeper than what we are able to see in concrete evidence."

• "Desire is what you can play on to get someone to do anything you want."

• "Abuse manifests itself the most when we silence what we know to be true about ourselves for the sake of conformity to something bigger."

• "Covert spiritual abuse is so cunning and deceptive that it is more in agreement with what Paul said that he comes like an angel of light."

• "Covert spiritual abuse is something that's slapped with Christian language, without expressing the heart of our Heavenly Father and the nature of Jesus Christ."

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
02:17 The Exploitation of Desire and Vulnerability
03:37 Manipulation of Spiritual Authority and Closed Systems
09:35 Reconciling the Abuse: Internalization of Blame
12:00 The Importance of Caution and Discernment
27:13 Covert Spiritual Abuse
31:30 Lack of Advocacy and Support
34:42 The Importance of Speaking Up
36:16 The Power Play of Leaders
45:31 Safeguarding Through Authentic Community
51:11 Healing from Spiritual Abuse