07 3c

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Section 07: PRAYER AND SPIRITUAL WARFARE, Advanced Level 3c

07 3c: Discern, deal with root causes of legalism and other chronic church problems

Look prayerfully for the underlying cause of any chronic church problem, and deal with it with those who are involved (not alone, unless an offense was personal).

Remember the general rule, a church's greatest weakness is its greatest strength taken to excess.

Legalism--enforcing petty rules dogmatically--often is a problem but seldom is the root of the problem. Power hungry persons push legalistic rules to manipulate the consciences of their followers, to stay in — or increase — their control.
Help persons who complain a lot or appear to compete with other church leaders, to have a ministry of their own in which they are fulfilled and no longer need to compete with others. If this does not help them to become more humble and compliant, deal with them gently but firmly according to Galatians 6:1.

If a painful issue involves church activities or practices, help your people to discern where, on the scale of authority, an activity lies.

Level 1. New Testament Commands

If it is commanded in the New Testament as a general rule (not merely as a symbol of an underlying, more important principle), we must obey it. E.g., prayer.

Level 2. New Testament Practices (not commanded)

If it was practiced, but not commanded, by the apostles or New Testament churches, we cannot force it as a law nor prohibit it. Allow liberty in the Spirit. E.g., praying with hands raised.

Level 3. Human Traditions

If it is not mentioned in the New Testament, it is a mere human custom, not worth fighting about. Most church traditions are good. We cannot function in an orderly way without agreeing on when we will meet, etc. We prohibit a tradition if it hinders obedience to Jesus' commands or keeps people from coming to Him. E.g., prayer to (through) an icon or image.

Find in Titus 3:10-11 guidelines for dealing with divisive people.

Find in 1 Peter 1:1-12 how to think about problems and persecution.

*Find in Acts 5:1-11 how God punished liars in the New Testament.

*Find in Joshua 1:1-11 how we should think, to conquer for Jesus.

Find in the book of Jeremiah several ways by which Jeremiah called God's people to repentance.

Find in the book of Joel prophecies of widespread destruction and of the coming of the Holy Spirit.

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* Stories (better, for letting the Word flow from friend to friend)

For video courses that you can take at home, contact Jon Raibley at Western Seminary's Center for Lifelong Learning. Ask about courses related to the theology of Jonathan Edwards, dealing with grace as opposed to legalism. Call (503) 517 1899, or e-mail CLL@WesternSeminary.edu or view courses offered on http://www.westernseminary.edu/. On the home page click on Enter, then Academic Programs, then Distance Education, then Course Listings.

To counter legalism, Grace Awakening, Chuck Swindoll.

Also for a greater appreciation of grace, Transforming Grace, Bridges.

Listen carefully to your people's conversations, especially their criticisms of other church people.

What do people think they can do to secure favor from God or to manipulate the Holy Spirit?
How do they explain the misfortunes of others?
Anything people believe they can or must do to please God, besides saying a grateful yes to the promises of God, is legalism.

For help: Research

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