God uses various methods, depending on the aim, to break our outer man. Let's break it down this way: for some people, it's their love of themselves; for others, it's their pride. There are also those who need to have their sense of independence and cleverness broken. These people will encounter difficulties left and right and will be outwitted until they learn to depend solely on God's grace and wisdom." Additionally, those whose subjectivity stands out will encounter situations unique to their needs.
There are also people who are constantly bursting with ideas and opinions. Some people claim that nothing is too complicated for them, despite the Bible's assertion that "Is any matter too magnificent for Jehovah?" They claim to be capable of anything, but oddly, they fall short in every endeavour. Things that appeared so simple crumble in their hands. They are perplexed and wonder, "Why?" This is how the Holy Spirit interacts with them in order to accomplish the essential goal. These examples demonstrate how the Spirit's intended recipient changes depending on the individual.
The speed at which the Holy Spirit works varies as well. There may occasionally be no break between blows, or there may be lulls in the action. But the Lord chastises everyone He loves. As a result, the Holy Spirit inflicts wounds on God's children. Even though the condition may differ, the damage it does to the inner self is the same. God thereby affects our self-love, pride, intelligence, or subjectivity, depending on what His external target is. He seeks to make us weaker with each blast made at the target, until the day when we are crushed and malleable in His hands. The end consequence is the production of a broken will, whether the transaction hits our affection or our thinking. We are all obstinate by nature. Our thoughts, opinions, feelings of self-worth, affection, or cunning serve as justification for this obstinate will. This explains why the Holy Spirit interacts with us in different ways. In the end, God is motivated by our desire because it is that which best expresses who we are. Thus, becoming meek is a characteristic that distinguishes those who have attained enlightenment and discipline. Meekness is a symptom of being damaged. Meekness is a trait shared by all those whom God has broken. We used to be able to afford to be stubborn because we were like a house that had many pillars supporting it. The house is destined to fall as God takes out each pillar one by one. When external supports are destroyed, one cannot help but fall.
But we need to learn to spot genuine meekness. Do not be fooled into thinking that a compassionate will is indicated by a soft voice. Often, the most delicate voice conceals an iron will. Stubbornness is a character issue rather than a vocal issue. Even some who seem to be more kind than others are, in the eyes of God, just as stubborn and self-centered. Such can only face the harshness of His punishment up until the point where they dare not behave arrogantly. God intends for us to be deeply affected by what appear to be external dealings; we will never be able to look past these specific issues.
Author: Watchman Nee
Compiled and edited by: Peter O. Olutoyese
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