Claims About Special Character, Abilities or Knowledge

Toxic Characteristic #1

The members of the toxic-faith system claim their character, abilities, or knowledge make them "special" in some way. Members of toxic faith systems reach a point in their addictive progression where they make claims about themselves to set themselves apart from others. They may attempt to support these claims with Scripture. Each time Scripture is used, some followers are more motivated to serve, feeling God's special hand on the ministry and the people involved with it.

Some of the most clever deceivers in history have used Scripture to foster their toxic faith. Satan had no problems in quoting Scripture to strengthen his temptations of Christ. The good guys are not the only ones who use Scripture!

One pastor asserted his "specialness" by quoting the book of Revelation, where John writes:

To the angel of the church of Ephesus write,
"These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands." (Revelation 2:1).

Now, follow this reasoning: This pastor asserted that the angel mentioned in this quotation was the pastor at the church at Ephesus. Because he, too, pastored a church, the Lord also spoke directly to him, much like He did to the pastor (or angel) at the church of Ephesus and so, since God spoke to the pastor at the church at Ephesus in order for him to pass on God's word to the people, God likewise spoke to him to communicate to the people of his church. Thus, he justified his special communication with God.

This type of claim concerning divine direction is very dangerous. It places the leader above all others. Challenging the authority or accuracy of the leader is equated with challenging the very Word of God. How could anyone disagree with a leader who says he has a direct link with God? Who would want to be pitted against the Word of God? The leader knows this and uses it as a clever manipulation of the "ignorant" followers who believe in the sincerity of their toxic leader. When members of that organization challenge the motives or actions of the leaders, they are put off with statements like, "I was only doing what God asked me to do." For those under that type of manipulation, there is no way to challenge the leaders' position. They either agree and obey or suffer the consequences. And religious addicts are more than eager to agree and obey.

(from Toxic Faith, Chapter 6)