Prayer is an example where the Holy Spirit revealed how the two principles, Form vs. Essence and Balance and Integration, can overlap, creating confusion and deception.
Let’s say an individual or a church body believes God still heals people through the agency of the faith-filled prayers of His followers. Seminars and teaching sessions are conducted to help people learn how to be part of the church’s prayer ministry team. Maybe they are taught about the authority they were given, and even something about the operation of faith as a spiritual force. Leaders likely also offer “examples “ of how to pray, and demonstrate that with sample words and prayers. These are then taken in as the words to use to express one’s faith and pray for people in need of healing, maybe even of one-self. And so begins the process of using these forms or formulated words to pray for healing. This or these words are what faith “sounds like,” so one believes he now has effective faith to bring healing into manifestation. He imitates the words and practices taught to him.
But, oops, nothing manifests. Something is either missing in his understanding, and/or did not get internally integrated. And the form, or formatted words, did not create the essence, the spiritual power hoped for. Often there is unrecognized doubt or unbelief along-side of faith. That missing part of balanced Scriptural understanding was missing and/or not functionally integrated in the person’s spirit-man. Or maybe the Authority of the Believer was nice “head “knowledge, but had not been absorbed and internally integrated as part of his spiritual I.D.
And, of course, other components or needed elements could also be missing, as the cake recipe metaphor from the previous article offered as an example of the principle, and consequence of Over-Simplification. Balance and integrated wholeness or completeness of Scripture, absorbed and internalized within as part of one’s spiritual self and identity had not been accomplished, but the understanding about that was also missing, leaving confusion, increased doubt, unbelief and discouragement.
Most Christians in that situation continue on, trying harder to make the words and spoken prayers work, not recognizing that forms do not create the essence or power, but essence expresses through form, words, or flesh. Hebrews 1:3 speaks of the Word of His Power. The Power is in GOD, and comes forth through His Faith-filled Words. It is the same for us. Inside from our spirit, to the outside. When we are not getting the desired result, it is time to check out what is going on or missing on the inside, in our spirit-man. Why are our words or works dead? Where are we not lined up with God and His spiritual laws or principles, as revealed in Scripture? What missing piece or understanding are we lacking?
Can you see where having the two guiding principles of Form vs. Essence, and Balance and Integration with its corollary consequence of Over-Simplification would offer clues as to what to check for and where to look for correction? A principle is applicable wherever it fits. These two God given ones have served me well over many years, and pointed to areas of needed change or growth. Focusing thus with the Holy Spirit, Who leads us into all Truth, makes for progress. I am asked to share them. Hopefully they will help your progress as well.
Carole Robinson
A God Listener
12/15/2015
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