Quote:
Originally Posted by Jo S
None are separate from each other so we have to be careful also that we don't discard any of them as in saying feelings, or emotions, or subjective experiences in themselves are inherently bad and not a part of our relationship with God. The only thing is we shouldn't be chasing after these things or rely on them as validation because without a full understanding we'll actually chase our own constructs rather then what's real. And it's human nature to only want the ecstacy (good) rather than the hurt and suffering (bad) that comes along with God's love. And you know who will offer you only the convenient things of life....(Mark 8:33)
|
After reading some more LC literature today, I wanted to expound on this point.
Be cautious of leaders who put emphasis on some vague and mysterious "subjective experience of Christ" rather than a simple and understandable relationship with Jesus Christ.
In mysticism, spirituality consists of subjective experiences that are fleeting feelings of ecstasy and elation. These are usually preceded by certain works or techniques as found in the LC's such as "pray reading" or euphoric cries of "Oh, Lord Jesus".
Christians, on the other hand, differ from mystics in that there is an ongoing (not fleeting) relationship with God through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit beginning the moment one receives salvation.
While God works subjectively in concert with our thoughts and emotions, it wouldn't be considered so much as a "subjective experience". Experiences are gained and experiences come and go but when the spirit of God indwells you, he will never leave you nor forsake you to the point that you feel you have to constantly gain or chase after him.
With mysticsm, there's a constant seeking after an experience of "God", or what in reality is just a generic experience of the spiritual realm. And like a drug, with these types of experiences, once the previous high wears off you're back at it looking for the next trip.
Normal relationships, however, don't consist of a series of highs and lows. In them you understand there are going to be different seasons but for the most part there's a certain continuity and stability.
At points where relationships are suffering, it usually isn't something that can be fixed or repaired with a just a simple act or gesture, it's a deeper issue of the heart that takes reflection, communication, and repentance to mend. But with the mystic, the solution to fixing a low always seems to be a quick psychological technique or other practice to alter the circumstance.
Mind altering practices learned though mysticism are specifically designed to pierce through the spiritual veil but the danger is it's not timed by God but imposed on by human will.
Through practices like chanting, meditiation, scheduled fastings ect. you can have genuine spiritual experieces that makes it seem like you're living the Christian life but these are the same types of experiences that so many other non-Christian mystics have as well. Jesus said even if you find a way to cleanse your innerself, without him and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, whatever spirit that was purged will only return with 7 different spirits leaving your spiritual condition worse off than before. (Matthew 12:45).
Speaking from my own experience even a Christian at a low point in their walk with Christ can be tempted with mysticism when desiring to reestablish closeness to God that seemed to have disappeared, but rather than doing things the hard way through humbling ourselves by admitting wrongs and changing our ways we begin to learn how to manipulate spiritual things through practices taught to us by deceiving spirits or deceived leaders.
With that said, we were warned by the Savior, if you are entering the sheep fold by any other way than the door, you are a thief and a robber (John 10:1).
And I'll finish with this. Paul says that there are different Jesus's being taught in the churches and through them different spirits other than the Holy Spirit of God are being imparted (2 Corinthians 11:4). If you were one that was raised in the Local Church's of Watchman Nee and Witness Lee and affirmed by members of the LC's that you are saved or you received "Jesus" at a later time through the LC's but feel that there is something seriously wrong and experience strong doubts, test the spirits that you received through the Local Church by scripture and earnest prayer (1 John 4).