[Paul Miletus]

Originally Posted by SpeakersCorner

I think the LC went wrong by focusing too much on the negative aspect of the soul. The idea was that since the spirit was regenerated and life was there, the soul must turn to it rather than itself or worse, the body for its source and satisfaction. What does it mean to "turn to your spirit"? That is something the LC leadership never made clear and has caused a lot of grief.

The concept is actually good but it must be understood properly. To turn to one's spirit simply means to turn to the Lord. "Whenever the heart turns to the Lord ..." Every believer has some understanding of what this means. It simply means to contact the Lord, maybe by prayer, maybe by confession, maybe by musing on the Word, maybe by talking with another believer, maybe just by thinking about God. It means to stop listening to your stomach (or other bodily parts) and listen to the Lord's speaking in whatever way works for you.

It's a shame it became a mantra, a form of chastisement, and a slogan. Probably the worst thing you can tell a brother who is in the throes of some negative situation is to "turn to your spirit." Rather, we should be a form of that process by just fellowshipping with the brother.

I believe the local church is clear what it meant to "turn to your spirit." Brother Witness Lee taught:

The reality of the resurrection is the pneumatic Christ who is the consummated Spirit. This consummated Spirit is in our spirit. Our spirit has become His dwelling place. Our spirit is the Holy of Holies for the Triune God as the consummated Spirit living within us. This is why we say, “Turn to your spirit.”

The Crystallization Study of Song of Songs

In order to know the church or see something of the church, we must be in the spirit. We can never see the church, the mystery of Christ, merely by using our small mind to consider and try to understand it. The more we do this, the more we will be confused. We should not trust in our mind, but we have to cooperate with God by retreating to our spirit. Many of us may have seen something of the church, but we have to see more in order to stay in the church. We should pray: “Lord, save me. Deliver me from my mind, emotion, and will. Help me to stay in my spirit.” Some may not have seen the church. If you have not seen the church, do not argue with others about this matter or try to understand it on your own. Simply turn to your spirit. You must realize that the deepest part of your being is your human spirit. Your spirit is the very spot where God can reveal things to you. If you turn to your spirit and remain there, the church can be revealed to you.

The Two Greatest Prayers of the Apostle Paul

The Spirit of Christ cannot be poured upon our old nature, our old man. Our flesh does not have the position to participate in this compound ointment. Whenever you lose your temper, you are in the flesh and cannot enjoy the Spirit of Christ. But whenever you turn to your spirit, immediately in your spirit you sense the anointing. You realize that you are being painted with the Spirit of Christ, for you are in the new creation, not in your old nature.

Life Study of Exodus