The Lord called many religious teachers (of His day) hypocrites, whitewashed tombs, snakes, sons of hell and vipers. He said they were full of self-indulgence, greed and wickedness. This is what our modern church considers “spiritual abuse.”  Jesus accused religious leaders of failing to practice JUSTICE, MERCY and FAITHFULNESS.  All of us have witnessed leading clergy prosecuted in the news, and God has condemned the behavior of religious leaders who use their position to abuse and rob God’s people. When we discover spiritual abuse, we must resist the temptation to simply gossip, but instead, stand up for what is right and sincerely pray for these lost souls.