The Invisible War
James 5:16
For Mantown, Friday night Q asked us to read 2 Kings 6:8-18. We have been discussing spiritual warfare and the importance of things unseen. While James 5:16 is definitely a verse that’s easy to understand in the physical world, I think it’s importance is more profound when thought about in the spiritual context.
In our spiritual fight, we cannot do it alone. We have to have people come along side us to fight with us and support and protect us when we are week. Without confession though our brothers do not know of our battles, we strip them of their ability to intercede for us and their ability to care for us.
We need to seek out the prayers of our brothers in this battle so that we can be healed. Don’t we all want rest, support, nurturing, and healing? Then what holds us back from open honest fellowship with our brothers, our family, our church? I think one thing that holds me back and pushes me to confession (yes I know its an odd combination) is trying to be the cool christian. What holds you back?
I think we hold back from really confessing and leaning on each other because of our capacity to hurt each other and to judge each other. But without vulnerability we cannot really rely on one another to support each other in battle times. We are often so concern with protecting our image and feelings that we miss out on the fullness of fellowship.
I agree. Also I feel like we derive a lot of our worth from how others see us instead of how God sees us. So we are hurt a lot more easily when we think someone doesn't approve of something we do or have done.