Controlling pastors, abusive spouses, Jezebel spirits…the list goes on and on. It’s been an epidemic, even in the church…ever since the days of Jesus.
A Spirit of Control, isn’t something that just “slips” in…
- It’s a core characteristic of satan
- It’s a spirit that defies the very character of God
- It’s a spirit that is toxic to the modern day church and its people.
In Scripture, we see over and over again, a similar Spirit of Control working throughout Scripture:
The Pharisees
This group of people were the religious leaders in Jesus day. Yet, instead of ruling with a careful and healthy fear of the Lord, they put heavy demands on people (Spirit of Control) handing down extra “regulations” passed on by their ancestors, but not recorded in the book of Moses.
They asserted control over the people, lived according to these “additional” rules, not in submission to the authority of Jesus.
Yet, when Jesus, the long awaited Messiah, finally walked the earth, he defied this control, turned tables, (Mark 11:15-19) and even called out this “Spirit of Control”, labeling Pharisees, “snakes and a brood of vipers.” (Matt 23:33-34)
Jesus was never passive, excepting, or tolerating of a “Spirit of Control”, in anyone confessing they serve the Lord.
King Saul
Saul was a king with a sense of grande, self-importance. He exaggerated His own worth, and out of a low self-esteem, tried compensating, using selfish feelings to control.
When Saul attacked Amalekite, he was called to destroy all the cattle. But instead, he saw value in the good sheep and cattle, sparing them, in dis-obedience to God. (1 Samual 15)
Saul, out of a desire for his own will and way, chose only to partially obey God.
Scripture says Saul sinned because he feared the people and obeyed their voice instead of Gods. (1 Samual 15:24)
Sometimes control disguises itself as people-pleasing or becomes satisfied in partial obedience. We may think we are making others…or even God, happy…when in actuality, we can using “pleasing people” as an excuse for our own rebellion.
Peter
In Matthew, Chapter 16, Jesus tells Peter he will build his church. But as soon as Peter starts hearing something He doesn’t like (Jesus dying and returning again), Peter pulls Jesus aside and starts reprimanding Him. (Spirit of Control)
Jesus warns, “Get behind me Satan”.
Peter isn’t satan, but He is acting in a spirit of Control, which is the sole intent and character of the enemy.
We each are called to follow, serve, and submit to Jesus. Any time we demand our own way, assert our own authority, or assume we have power to make our own decisions apart from God’s direction, we are walking in the same Spirit of Control Peter did.
Peter continued to struggle with control, cutting off the soldiers ear when they tried taking Jesus. Then, denying knowing Jesus for His own self-preservation. (John 18)
Peter liked doing what he “felt” like doing. He lived by emotion, not submitted or surrendered to the sole purposes of Jesus. Feelings often lead us astray, but Jesus never will.
Simon
He had been practicing magic arts when he heard the teaching about Jesus. As a result Simon became a Christian.
Although Simon had surrendered to the truth of Jesus, and had even been baptised, when He saw the Holy Spirit’s power, he tried to control the situation by offering His money for the purchase of God’s power. (Acts 8)
Simon first, esteemed himself higher than he should, and second, tried to exude control over God, by thinking He could purchase what God alone freely gives.
Anytime we use money, assets, or possessions as control, try “buying” or paying God back, purchasing or “earning” the gifts He has for us, we are acting in this “Spirit of Control”.
Peter tells Simon, “repent of this depravity and wickedness of yours” (Acts 8:22)
Don’t be fooled Christians, a “Spirit of Control” IS an act of wickedness.
Tweet ThisPeter calls Simon’s thoughts and purposes, “contriving”. He tells Simon, his is a “gall of bitterness”, and “forged by sin”. Pretty harsh words, aren’t they?
Like Jesus, Peter doesn’t “play nice” or hold back from rebuking Simon’s sins of self-importance or this Spirit of Control.
And, we need to be careful too…
Anytime we think we can buy God, earn His love, purchase the gifts of the Holy Spirit, or offer money in exchange for His hand to move in our lives, we are trying to manipulate God and operating in this Spirit of Control.
Grace and Control have always been at war, since the beginning of time. A Spirit of Control will never be harmonious with a genuine walk with God.
Satan
Lastly, I want to come back to author of all control, the one that started this war.
Satan, tempted Eve in the Garden, to take control. But before that, He tried to create monarchy, rallying the angels in heaven to bow to Him, instead of God.
Satan always, each and every time, will undermind the voice, character, call, or purposes of Jesus.
He inflates our egos, exagerates our 
self worth, then convinces us that our plans, our way, and our thoughts are superior to Gods.
Satan deceives us into thinking, WE can be the leader. He enjoys derailing God’s authority, bringing down the Father’s dominioin over us.
Satan even tried to control Jesus in the desert, tricking him to bow down, offering Him bread, Kingdoms, and authority….if Jesus would do what Satan says. (Matt 4)
Every time we think WE are the sole director of our life, a “Spirit of Control” is ultimately winning, God’s perfect plan diminished, every time.
Yet, we live in a culture that prides itself on self-actualization. It convinces us, WE hold truth, life, and the way. It manipulates us to thinking of ourselves more highly than we should…
It does everything it can to prevent us from being fully surrendered to God.
And in the end, we will fall. Saul was taken from his place of authority and turned mad/crazy, after continually exerting his own control over His life.
Sadly, some Christians, even entire churches can act like Pharisees, make extra-Biblical rules and then assert them with the same Spirit of Control over God’s people.
Friends…
Please, look at the pattern of those who have influence over you. Look at your own heart with humility and honesty.
Control usually starts with pride, thinking your better, your path way is superior, your life is under your control because you are smarter, more educated, or some influential leader.
So many become deceived into thinking they have all power to lead their own destiny.
But the Christian walk is about surrendering, not leading, following like sheep as He leads us with grace and humility, offering mercy and healing.
Conclusion. The Spirit of Control…
- Can take root in any church or leader who makes rules, demands, or asserts their own purposes in additon to or in exclusion to what Jesus taught. (i.e. Pharisees)
- Can be seen in immature Christians, people like us, those who haven’t fully abandoned every aspect of their mind, will, and emotions to God. (i.e. Peter)
- Can blend, or take root subtly, partially obeying God, yet choosing to hold back, making exceptions, or “modifying” the calls and purposes God speaks to us. (i.e. Saul)
- Will ultimately rob us from our calling if given even a small foothold. (i.e. Saul)
- Starts with pride, an inflated ego, a grandious sense of self-worth, rooted in insecurity. (i.e. Saul)
- Can take root in sin or offense. It can piggy-pack from our own hurts, prior success or achievements. (i.e. Simon)
- Can decieve us into thinking we can purchase God, His gifts, or His goodness and blessing. (i.e. Simon)
- Can be connected to materialism; our wanting material or spiritual gain, when we demand some kind of physical evidence or tangible gift. (i.e. Saul & Simon)
- Will try to rob and dethrone us, making us bow down to something other than God’s Lordship. (i.e. Satan and Jesus in the desert)
- Will deceive us into thinking we can be “like God”, when in reality, asserting our own authority outside of His will, will turn us away from His purposes. (Eve)
After struggling with a Spirit of Control, Peter eventually learned, and became what Jesus spoke over him, “The Rock of the Church.”
Friends, it’s not too late for us either. Let’s evaluate our hearts in humility, give up control and abandon ourselves, fully and completely, to Jesus.
Thankfully, Jesus is our example. He gave up His own life, layed down His will, lived every step of the way in submission to The Father.
Jesus never demanded His own way, but lived obedient to only what He saw and heard His Father doing.
In the end, Jesus gave His life willingly, as a ransom for many. He shed His blood so you and I could be free from a “Spirit of Control”.
Now let’s go and live in His grace purposes, giving glory to the King, letting His light shine freely, through us.
