PERSPECTIVE

Don Atkin

THE INTIMIDATION OF SOUL POWER

Not long ago I received an email that was an articulate and intelligent presentation of revelation regarding God’s kingdom intentions.  While able to agree with most of what was written, I discerned a weightiness that was troubling.  I felt pressure, the pressure of intimidation.

I responded with resistance that was carefully couched in love.  The writer immediately responded by completely capitulating to my counsel.  While the first email came from the soul realm, the second was a heart response.

In my judgment, this man is relationally challenged.  And, I believe that God is helping me to put my finger on the cause.  He intimidates people.  He has a strong personality, and is highly motivated by vision.  Lacking wisdom, he pushes the “insecurity buttons” in others.

Not too long ago, he met his match in another brother who also has a strong personality and is highly motivated by vision.  It wasn’t pretty! 

I know that I have intimidated others, simply because of my enthusiastic assaults with truth.  I know that I have been relationally challenged. 

It takes time to grow in wisdom and stature, and to gain favor with God and man.  Paul offered this advice: Walk in wisdom.

Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how  you ought to answer each one.

James wrote:  Who is wise and understanding among you?  Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.

The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.  Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Solomon wrote: He who rules his own spirit is better than he who takes a city.

God does not need us to add an ounce of our effort to carry out our assignment.

We are to serve others by faith, from our position of rest in Christ.  Don’t allow your intensity to intimidate and spoil the fruit.