Posted by cav on November 18, 2005 at 12:34:01:
In Reply to: my two cents on this.... posted by giveawayboy on November 16, 2005 at 00:23:26:
I think your ideas are good. I've been trying them and it helps. I think it's harder when it's in a personal relationshipthough, as opposed to a more distant work relationship because the maligned people are people you care about, and in my case, the maligners are also people who know me and know how to play on my own concerns and irritations. I could really see how people can get all bent on the spiritual nature of these things and start screaming at demons because it feels that way when someone puts a thought in your head. I think it's like you said, it boils down to being able to surrender to grace, which creates a sort of fortification in the mind.
As always, I like illustrations from pop culture and I think of Worm-Tongue Grima enslaving the mind of Theoden with the same tactics, or Palpatine turning Anakin by reading his fears and telling him things that play on them.
And as with most "spiritual warfare" if you want to call it that (I personally dislike that term) the the only winning move is not to play (another older pop culture reference). It's just harder to actually do it than talk about it.
: I deal with this at work all the time John. We have alot of political backstabbing and such that goes on there, but thankfully there are a core of us who are finding good things to say about the staff members who take hits most of the time. We have two new managers that are unpopular w a majority of the staff, but every chance we get we are reinforcing the good points of the prior managers as well as the new ones. I like to praise an old manager and a new one in the same statement. This unites them in a positive light. I think spiritually there is a power we have of 'commending them to each other'. In Christ, we see all things consist. If Christ is hidden in us then he must be holding all those around us together by his power. If this is the case then our lives can testify to this holding power, both verbally and through actions. Also, I am sure we send out thoughts waves. Another practice I have is to purposely take the maligned parties and to repicture them in my mind as redeemed and to see them as Christ. This way when I approach them, I am not approaching an accused person, but Christ himself. I treat them as if they are Jesus. It works. Over time, my attitudes about such people change. If they were maligned I no longer see them as the maligned but as perfect. This is not an exercise in ignorance, but in will. It is something that Christians can develop. It is a power given to us by God, but one which we seldom take up. I'm no expert at this, but I know that it works and although I'm no giant of the faith, I know I have spiritual power when I walk in this way. Also, it works right before you pick up a phone. Instead of assuming the ignorance or the neediness of a customer, I look at each phone call as an encounter with Christ. I address the person knowing that I could be and most likely am addressing Christ himself. Angels unaware you know. It changes everything and unleashes spiritual power, which is basically just a surrender to ongoing grace. Well, hope this helps.