What Spirit Broods In The Local Church?

[jszholmes]

For the duration of my time in the LC I never understood what went on and the spirit that broods in it. There is definitely a spirit that I can only describe as uncomfortable and weird.

Those who've been in the LC will understand. It's like when your pray with others it's exhausting but you would sense something about a particular situation or about the other person...it's very difficult to describe but I know those who were/are in the LC know what I'm talking about. The spirit is prophetic...and even on LD you can tell who's prophesying in "spirit" and who's just repeating stuff.

I ask this mainly because I'm still dependent on this spirit and the spiritual high it gives me. I remember so many times I'd have the sense to call, message etc... a certain member and there'd be a feeling of release. But I've realised most of these feelings were linked to members & situations in the LC. I don't recollect ever having a sense towards other people outside of LC and even other Christians. I just wanted some clarity and if anyone can relate or had similar experiences it would be much appreciated.

[PeterG]

Originally Posted by jszholmes

For the duration of my time in the LC I never understood what went on and the spirit that broods in it. There is definitely a spirit that I can only describe as uncomfortable and weird.

Those who've been in the LC will understand. It's like when your pray with others it's exhausting but you would sense something about a particular situation or about the other person...it's very difficult to describe but I know those who were/are in the LC know what I'm talking about. The spirit is prophetic...and even on LD you can tell who's prophesying in "spirit" and who's just repeating stuff.

I ask this mainly because I'm still dependent on this spirit and the spiritual high it gives me. I remember so many times I'd have the sense to call, message etc... a certain member and there'd be a feeling of release. But I've realised most of these feelings were linked to members & situations in the LC. I don't recollect ever having a sense towards other people outside of LC and even other Christians. I just wanted some clarity and if anyone can relate or had similar experiences it would be much appreciated.

Hi jszholmes, my experience is that you can become addicted to anything, even Christian fellowship. And I believe that what doesn't set me free is not the Spirit of God. I can leave it behind with a clear conscience.

[Mandy]

Originally Posted by jszholmes

For the duration of my time in the LC I never understood what went on and the spirit that broods in it. There is definitely a spirit that I can only describe as uncomfortable and weird.

Those who've been in the LC will understand. It's like when your pray with others it's exhausting but you would sense something about a particular situation or about the other person...it's very difficult to describe but I know those who were/are in the LC know what I'm talking about. The spirit is prophetic...and even on LD you can tell who's prophesying in "spirit" and who's just repeating stuff.

I ask this mainly because I'm still dependent on this spirit and the spiritual high it gives me. I remember so many times I'd have the sense to call, message etc... a certain member and there'd be a feeling of release. But I've realised most of these feelings were linked to members & situations in the LC. I don't recollect ever having a sense towards other people outside of LC and even other Christians. I just wanted some clarity and if anyone can relate or had similar experiences it would be much appreciated.

Hi,

Your post is very thoughtful. Here’s my breakdown of the experience you mentioned, but first, some background.

I was mentored by a zealous follower of Witness Lee in the Local Church (LC). He spent hundreds of hours training me in LC doctrines and practices, emphasizing “calling on the name of the Lord,” which cult experts might label chanting. I called on the Lord at work, home, with family, in public, and alone in prayer. During meetings, calling enhanced prayer, making it feel more powerful. On Lord’s Day meetings, it synergized with others’ prophesying, boosting morale for both speakers and listeners. These positive feelings were always interpreted as “the Spirit,” and I believed this 100%.

Before the brainwashing took hold, I noticed things that planted seeds of doubt. Why did most members call with the same pitch and tone? Why the same rhythm? Why use the same name for God? Why no nuance from Luke 6:46? Where was this practice before Martin Luther? Why didn’t church fathers or historians mention it? Why not equally emphasize believing in your heart for salvation? Why persist when it clearly made others uncomfortable? Didn’t leaders realize this made us look like a cult? Unfortunately, I embraced calling, burying my doubts under a thick layer of conformity, stifling critical thinking.

Here’s my breakdown of the “spirit” you mentioned. In The Wrong Way Home, Arthur J. Deikman describes this in his chapter on “Group Dependency.” He explains that cults create psychological experiences used as “proof” of their beliefs. Robert J. Lifton might categorize it as part of the “sacred science,” but I digress. This phenomenon isn’t unique to Bible-based cults; it’s documented in religious, psychiatric, and business cults. Calling on the Lord provides catharsis—a chest-tightening, loud “Oh,” followed by a relieving “Lord Jesus.” It feels good, bringing release. Witness Lee suggests this release as being “saved,” per the verse, “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Your point about experiencing this only within the group aligns with “Group Dependency.” Members accept, practice, and reward calling, creating a dependency on this catharsis within church meetings. It can occur alone, but not commonly with outsiders.

[Nell]

Originally Posted by jszholmes

For the duration of my time in the LC I never understood what went on and the spirit that broods in it. There is definitely a spirit that I can only describe as uncomfortable and weird.

Those who've been in the LC will understand. It's like when your pray with others it's exhausting but you would sense something about a particular situation or about the other person...it's very difficult to describe but I know those who were/are in the LC know what I'm talking about. The spirit is prophetic...and even on LD you can tell who's prophesying in "spirit" and who's just repeating stuff.

I ask this mainly because I'm still dependent on this spirit and the spiritual high it gives me. I remember so many times I'd have the sense to call, message etc... a certain member and there'd be a feeling of release. But I've realised most of these feelings were linked to members & situations in the LC. I don't recollect ever having a sense towards other people outside of LC and even other Christians. I just wanted some clarity and if anyone can relate or had similar experiences it would be much appreciated.

JSZ—

I believe this "spirit" you appropriately describe is confirmed in these verses in I Timothy 4 as follows:

1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils (demons); 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

These verses highlight what you describe and confirm that this "spirit" is real. We see and in some cases "feel" (creepy, uncomfortable and wierd) the fruit of the doctrines of demons as well as the gross hypocrisy of some of the Local Church leadership which could only occur when the conscience is seared with a hot iron.

Note that this warning has been spoken to us "expressly" by the HOLY Spirit of a sign of the end times..."latter times". This warning you have brought to us should not be ignored. Thank you!

Nell