Not All Spiritual

I had an interesting comment by an encourager in Canada. The one drawback about the truth encounter is that it works so well that the inquirer can leave and not even be aware that he had a spiritual problem. I understand his concern, because many Christians in the West are ignorant of the spiritual battle they are in, and therefore don’t know how to stand. However, a peaceful encounter with God is more of a blessing than a drawback.

It is true that in most freedom appointments there is very little spiritual opposition. The encourager just shows up and God sets them free. I really don’t care if the person’s problem is 100%, 50%, or 5% spiritual. The real issue is our relationship with God, and repentance and faith is the means by which we secure that. All seven steps are issues that need to be resolved between ourselves and God. The truth encounter approach just staves off the interference of the evil one who tries to stop that from happening.

The perception that I’m okay and I don’t need to repent is the bigger problem we are facing in our churches. I suppose I am a little bit prideful. That means that God is opposed to you! Maybe I am a little bit rebellious. Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry (1 Sam. 15:23). Okay, I’m a little bitter about the way I was treated, but I’m a good person. God said He would turn you over to the tormentors if you don’t forgive others from your heart (Matt. 18: 34,35). But I don’t dance, smoke or chew tobacco! That is “straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel” (Matt. 23:24). That last thing we want to be is a lukewarm church like Laodicea, and be spit out by our Lord (Rev. 3:16). “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways (like bitterness, pride, and rebellion), then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land” (2 Chron. 7:14).

Dr. Neil

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