Worthless leaders are sadly not new phenomenon. In South Africa, we know all too well how leadership failure can devastate communities. When leaders exploit instead of serve, ordinary people suffer.
Sadly, this is also true in the church.
So-called Christian leaders can be self-serving, greedy, and lazy, using their power not for the good of those in their care, but to exploit them. They are the leaders who are meant to feed Christ’s sheep but instead fleece Christ’s sheep.
To make matters worse, when these spiritual frauds are reported, other leaders often cover up for them. Those overseers, who could make a big difference, may warn these impostors privately, but publicly nothing gets said or done. The false shepherds continue in their abusive ministry.
In a country where we have become familiar with words like corruption, state capture, and cover-up, we must not pretend this temptation does not exist in church structures as well.
I’ve seen it; you’ve seen it. And these abusive leaders are a huge scourge on the church.
Spiritual abuse distorts people’s view of God and the church. In a nation where many are already sceptical of institutions, abusive church leadership can push people even further from Christ.
The Scourge of Worthless Leaders
In 1 Samuel 2:11–36 we find spiritually abusive leaders.
Eli was serving as high priest, and his two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were serving as priests under his supervision. Verse 12 comes as a shock:
“Now the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know the Lord.” (v.12)
“Worthless men” is literally “sons of Belial.” Belial was a personification of evil. In Judges 19, men who tragically raped and murdered a young woman are referred to as “sons of Belial” (Judges 19:22).
One might expect such men to be found among Israel’s enemies—not among the priests at the centre of worship.
The priests were meant to be examples of godliness, but instead they were examples of greed. They were guilty of gross spiritual incompetence and abuse.
a. They took advantage of the people’s offerings and enriched themselves
God’s Law made provision for certain portions of the sacrifice to go to the priests, but according to verses 13–14, they took whatever they wanted. Not only were they greedy, but they were also lazy. They sent their servants to do the dirty work.
Verses 15–16 provide another example of their greed. They took the meat they wanted from the sacrifice, often by force, so they could braai the choicest rump steak at home.
The priests were exploitative, using what was meant for God to enrich themselves.
b. They took advantage of their position
Shockingly, verse 22 tells us they were sleeping with the women who served at the entrance of the house of God. They used their position of power, influence, and spiritual authority to gratify their own sexual appetites.
Spiritual authority became a tool of coercion and often leads to sexual abuse. There is grooming, manipulation, isolation, and threats of spiritual consequences.
All this abuse was not a secret. Even Eli heard about what was happening.
Spiritual Abuse in South Africa Today
Spiritual and sexual abuse remain deeply prevalent in the Christian world today, including in South Africa.
We have seen media reports of pastors selling “anointed” products, staging fake miracles, demanding unquestioning loyalty, and exploiting congregants financially and sexually. Some leaders live lavishly while members struggle to pay school fees or put food on the table.
They manipulate giving by promising blessing and privilege, and then misuse funds to enrich themselves. They promise prosperity, and in the end only they prosper.
In our context, this might look like manipulating vulnerable people into “sowing a seed” they cannot afford and promising financial breakthrough, while the Man of God keeps upgrading his standard of living.
These leaders are dictatorial and manipulative, misquote Scripture, and place unreasonable demands on members—all to satisfy their own greed and ego.
They fleece the flock sexually, morally, financially, and emotionally.
A major part of the problem in 1 Samuel 2 was that Hophni and Phinehas were unconverted. Verse 12 says, “They did not know the Lord.”
Unconverted leaders remain a serious problem today. Just because someone calls themselves “Prophet,” “Apostle,” or “Bishop,” wears a collar, or fills a stadium does not mean they know Christ.
In the New Testament, leaders are called to keep a close watch on their life and doctrine (1 Timothy 4:16). Leadership in the church is not a platform for fame; it’s a calling to holiness and sacrificial service.
God Knows
Spiritual abuse can deeply distort our view of God and the church. Some may walk away from church altogether.
But God is never unaware.
“Thus the sin of the young men was very great in the sight of the Lord…” (v.17)
Hannah had already declared that God is a God of knowledge and that by Him actions are weighed (1 Samuel 2:3). No spiritual abuse escapes His notice.
In a country where justice sometimes feels slow or uneven, this truth matters deeply: God sees. God knows. God weighs actions.
#CoverUpCulture
Sadly, in 1 Samuel 2 there was also a cover-up.
Eli rebuked his sons privately but failed to remove them from ministry. He did not act decisively. He warned his sons privately but did nothing publicly.
Perhaps he feared scandal. Perhaps he feared loss of reputation.
In South Africa, we know the cost of protecting institutions at the expense of people. When leaders protect the “brand” instead of the vulnerable, injustice multiplies.
Eli’s failure made him complicit. And God held him accountable.
God’s Judgment on Worthless Leaders
A prophet told Eli that because he and his family dishonoured the Lord, their priestly line would end. Hophni and Phinehas would also die on the same day—and they did (1 Samuel 4:11).
There was ultimate accountability.
There is a great reversal in verse 36: those who once enriched themselves would end up begging for bread.
One may be rich, famous, popular, host large conferences, and appear untouchable. But there will come a day of accounting. The Lord knows, and He weighs our actions.
Hope Despite Worthless Leaders
In contrast to these worthless men, God promised a faithful priest with a permanent priesthood (v35).
Jesus, of course, was and is the faithful priest who mediates between a holy God and sinful people. On the cross, He made atonement for our sin. Sin deserves death, but Jesus died for us—and we get to live and be God’s friends forever.
Worthless leaders are a scourge. Yet God is faithful, and He has provided the Priest and Leader we need: the Lord Jesus Christ.
We look forward to a renewed world where there will be no corruption, no exploitation, no abuse—only righteousness and joy under Christ’s perfect rule.
Do not ultimately place your confidence in church leaders, organisations, or personalities. Place your confidence in Jesus.
And if you are a church leader in South Africa today, remember: God knows and He weighs our actions.
Be an example of godliness, not greed.
A Word to the Wounded
Perhaps you have been exploited or abused by a church leader. I am truly sorry.
Please know this: God is not like that leader. The Lord knows what happened, and He will hold them accountable.
If there was spiritual or sexual abuse involved, please consider reporting the matter to church leadership or the appropriate organisational leaders. Others may be at risk.
If a crime was committed, report it to the South African Police Service. Abuse thrives in silence.