When "God Told Me To" becomes Control | 10 Red Flags of Spiritual Abuse

“God told me to…” can be spiritual guidance—or a tactic of control and spiritual abuse. Learn how to spot spiritual manipulation, reclaim your boundaries, and reconnect with your own inner truth and discernment. It might sound like divine guidance, but when it’s used to control, pressure, or override your voice, it becomes spiritual manipulation. I’m Callie Sorensen, a trauma-informed coach with a Master’s in the Psychology of Coercive Control. I help people heal from spiritually abusive relationships, high-control groups, and the lasting effects of coercion masked as faith. In this video, we’re breaking down 10 red flags to look out for when someone uses phrases like “God told me,” “Spirit gave me a download,” or “You’re out of alignment with the universe” as tools of control rather than connection. ______________ 📚 FREE RESOURCES 🚩 Red Flag Workbook: Identify toxic patterns and reconnect with your inner truth.👉 Free Download: https://www.calliesorensen.com/redflags 🕊️ Cult Recovery Guide: Understand high-control tactics and rebuild self-trust.👉 Free Download: https://www.calliesorensen.com/cultre... 💌 Feelings & Needs Cheat Sheet: Identify your emotions & unmet needs with ease.👉 Free Download: https://www.calliesorensen.com/feelin... 🎥 Callie’s Curated Watch List: Eye-opening shows & documentaries on manipulation.👉 Free Download: https://www.calliesorensen.com/watchlist ✉️ Join Callie’s Newsletter: Red flag tips, insights, psych-education, discounts & more.👉 Sign Up: https://www.calliesorensen.com/newsle... ______________ 🚀 GO DEEPER: COURSES & COACHING 🎯 Become Ungroomable (Online Course) Break free from manipulation, rebuild self-trust, and create relationships rooted in respect and authenticity. ✔️ Spot covert manipulative tactics & develop your red flag radar ✔️ Build rock-solid boundaries and self-trust ✔️ Break toxic cycles for good 👉 Enroll here: https://www.calliesorensen.com/become... 💬 1:1 Coaching for Serious Change Personalized guidance for navigating toxic dynamics, healing trauma, and building healthy connections. 📞 Book a free intro call 👉 https://www.calliesorensen.com/introcall ______________ 🔔 STAY CONNECTED 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/calliesoren... 📸 Instagram:   / calliesorensen   🚩 Red Flag Education:   / redflageducation   🌐 Website: https://www.calliesorensen.com ✉️ Join Callie’s Newsletter: https://www.calliesorensen.com/newsle... 🔗 All My Links: https://linktr.ee/calliesorensen ______________ 🕰️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction 02:11 Why is this Spiritual Manipulation? 03:22 The Internal Red Flags 08:51 The 3 Steps to Stop Spiritual Manipulation ______________ 🛡️ COMMUNITY GUIDELINES We welcome: ✅ Survivor stories & validation ✅ Thoughtful questions ✅ Support & encouragement for others ✅ Self-reflection & curiosity ✅ Video/topic requests 🚫 Not welcome: Disrespect, dismissing lived experiences, or unaccountable comments. These may be removed, reported, or used as teaching moments to model boundaries. ______________ 🛎 DISCLAIMER This content is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for therapy or professional advice. If you’re in immediate danger, contact local crisis lines or emergency services. ______________ #SpiritualAbuse #GodToldMe #SpiritualManipulation #ReligiousTrauma #CoerciveControl #CallieSorensen