SPIRITUAL INSECURITY (SI)

SI manifests itself in many ways. Afflicted with many trials, we are liable to assume that there is something wrong, either that we are missing out or God really doesn’t love us. However, this doubt is often addressed by the Scriptures, which warn us that God chastens every child He receives (Hebrews 12:5-11) and that we have to suffer the afflictions of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:10-11).

 SI also afflicts us when we think that we are missing out on certain spiritual experiences, like experiencing the witness of the Holy Spirit:

 • For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. (Romans 8:15-16 ESV)

 I had been deeply troubled by these verses. I had never received such a witness from the Holy Spirit. Perhaps I wasn’t saved?

 However, “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit” in many ways, primarily through the Scriptures:

 • “And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after writing, “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,” then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” (Hebrews 10:15-17)

 The Spirit witnesses to us through the Scriptures, which He makes real for us. Consequently, when He tells us that we are forgiven, we are led to accept this.

 Often, as a result of SI and the doubts that we are not enjoying God’s promises, we become vulnerable to an assortment of philosophies and therapies, each offering a fuller life:

 • See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. (Colossians 2:8-10)

 However, the Spirit warns us that despite our circumstances, we are already incredibly blessed, beloved, and protected. We already possess the fullness of Christ, in whom we have become partakers of everything that is His, even though, for now, He applies a tough love to our lives.

These examples illustrate the preciousness and needfulness of understanding our Savior and how He works in our lives:

 • For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. (Colossians 2:1-4)

 It is the Spirit working through His Word that cures us of the worst cases of SI.