Spiritual Authority cont.

I continue studying from the books Spiritual Authority by Watchman Nee and Hiding From Love by Dr.John Townsend.

During this time of study a situation came into my life and I tried my best to respond differently to it. Knowing that my feelings are not necessarily lining up with God's word I tend to really down play what I feel. I act out of a sort of intellectual understanding of God's word . While I am not going to put myself down for asking the Holy Spirit to reveal a scripture to me that will help me in times of trouble, I am not always sure it is the Holy Spirit's work when a scripture comes to mind.

Just as Jesus was tempted by the devil , my flesh sometimes feeds my mind scriptures that can be misinterpreted by my mind so that I believe a certain action will be warranted. Fortunately I've learned to walk expecting correction so if I begin to lose the Way , I know something is a miss.

It maybe that there is no better way to learn than from my mistakes. Regardless I praise the LORD that He is my shepherd. From what I understand , He wants to restore my soul.

In the book Hiding From Love , Dr. Townsend has listed some hiding styles that he has observed in people. One style he calls, Intellectualization . This is under the heading of INTERNAL HIDING FROM AUTHORITY. The defensive behavior looks like this : Retreats to head (logic) instead of heart (dealing with emotion), hiding perceived dangerous feeling. The recommended steps are: Realize God doesn't ask us to make such distinctions - feelings are part of the soul.

In Watchman Nee's book Spiritual Authority the thread is to bring the reader to know the authority of God. He does a good job of representing a balanced view of authority . Rather than pummelling me with scripture that insists I have the authority in Jesus name to do this and this, he realizes the reader needs to intimately know the One from Whom all authority is given. Being given the privilege to know the One in authority is so much better than trying to be the one in authority. Let me know Him. Then if He has something He wants me to do He and I will go do it.

Knowing Him requires not hiding from Him.
Knowing Him requires acknowledging that He knows me , through and through.
Knowing Him requires an ability from within that presses on, draws close to, seeks to find Him, and trusting that His hand will be extended in mercy and grace. Not demanding but expecting Help in time of need.

Now Watchman Nee is quick to point out the wrong approach to God's authority as exhibited by Satan. In Isaiah 14:12-15 he notes Satan violates God's authority while in Ezekiel 28:13-17 Satan is trespassing against God's holiness.

I was thinking of these ideas in regards to boundaries. When I first began understanding that people needed boundaries the point that came across to me as most important was , that I could learn what God's business was. God's boundaries and His authority I see as two in one. As I learn to know Him , I learn both , what His business is and what His authority is and I need to take heed that I stay where I am suppose to be.