Deeper Life #83

Yea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word: but murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of the LORD.

—Psalm 106:24–25

ONE FORM OF SUFFERING FOSTERS the most dangerous isolation of pride, which produces a kind of human sphinx. Shrouded in mystery, the sufferer feels that his suffering is “profound” in nature. This type of suffering is preeminently cowardly as well as proud.

According to the personality make-up of the individual, this form of suffering may express itself through sullenness or quietism. It may be sullen and gloomy in expression, or mystic and remote in its quietism.

The ultimate result of sullen suffering is hatred toward the saints of God, envy and murmuring toward the messengers of God, and a sullen contempt toward God’s Word. Suffering in the form of quietism produces a quietness that spends one’s life in contemplation and reverie. It was a very common practice in medieval Christianity; but I believe it contradicts the very spirit of Christianity. Quietism is highly esteemed in nearly every religion, but it engenders a pseudo-mysticism that inevitably ends in private illuminations apart from the written Word. It leads to prayers that are actually “strong delusions,” or false beliefs, resulting from a misleading of the mind.

Beware, my friend!

Prayer Thought: Help me to know the difference, Father, between suffering and sullenness, between praying and pouting.

SUGGESTED READING: Psalm 106