The Addiction That Is Costing Christianity Its Freedom
The Addiction That Is Costing Christianity Its Freedom
I realize now that most of the issues the church has created are based on its addiction to control. We have confused salvation with behaviour management, and we have traded the good news for good advice … our exclusive, only we are right, advice.
We want others to do less _____________ (drinking, cursing, fornication, etc.) and more _____________ (praying, tithing, serving, etc).
But we have to ask ourselves honestly, do we want them to start doing those things for their benefit, or ours?
We don’t do it just to individuals, we have tried doing the same with society. We tell people how to follow the law, when to go to church, which TV shows to watch, which president to elect.
We want to control people with the truth, but God called us to love people truthfully (which means, we love them even when they do the opposite of what we ask or expect).
I know … it’s because we know better than them. #Pride
Or, we don’t want them to suffer as we did. #FalseHumility
Also, we want to protect them and teach them and help them. #Deception
And we expect the truth to be received because, it’s the truth! #Control
However, the truth is a gift, not a master.
Yes, the Church of Jesus has access to the message of truth. But if we use truth to control others, then that truth is not doing what Jesus said it should do, “Set you free!”
Thus, if the truth is not setting people free, then it is making them prisoners. Jailed inside whatever version of the truth we are selling.
“The truth is like a lion; you don’t have to defend it. Let it loose; it will defend itself.” (Saint Augustine)
And that is why control is a snitch. Because when leaders/pastors/this author/couples/parents seek power, it indicates the need to overcome an inner feeling of powerlessness. Control tells the truth about how we actually feel.
Jesus proved that we can live a happy sonship without having to control others. He knew internally who he was and what he was called to do. He had no need to prove that by being controlling, exactly the opposite, he proved his might by being a servant.
He never controlled Peter’s stubbornness, or Thomas’ doubt, not even Judas’ betrayal. He could’ve. But the ways of love are superior to the ways of power.
I’m realizing that most of the issues in my life have been created because of my addiction to control.
I want to control how my wife expresses her emotions. I want to control how my kids respond to my correction. I want to control how my pastor pastors me.
The truth is, I don’t need control. I want control. #Addicted
And if you have ever been abused, neglected, abandoned or experienced any traumatic event that made you feel like your life was out of control (with no protection), then you might have become a control addict yourself.
Controlling people (and controlling churches) create stressful environments for those around them. They control because they fear being harmed again. And while trying to have dominance over a person or a situation they prove how insignificant they feel.
The good news is that the One who is (actually and fully) in control, wants to heal us. His love wants to override the fear.
And we can start with a simple step today: let’s hand over control to the Holy Spirit.
He’s the expert on conviction, counsel and comfort anyway. And He wants to teach both the Church as a whole, and us as individuals, that it is possible to live a life where we are not enforcing our standards on others, while at the same time, being happy with our convictions.
Remember, you just have to stay true to what God has called you to give up, what He asked you to surrender, what He invited you to stay away from.
Because controlling others is not a fruit of the spirit, Self-Control is.
Peace.
