“And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you”
(John 16:22)
Introduction
Even though God delivered Israel from slavery, they did not immediately enter the Promised Land, but wandered in the wilderness for forty years. During this wilderness state they encountered many trials and fears. The same can be said of those who have been set free from Satan’s dominion. Not many enter the “rest” that the Lord has prepared for them (Hebrews 4:9.) This does not mean that they are unsaved or have not been justified. In reality many Christians stray from the path that God has set before them, and find themselves in a wilderness where they are tried and afflicted. Those in such a state deserve our compassion. They may have lost faith, or are finding it difficult to live the way God expects. In this study we will endeavour to understand the condition, the causes, and the cure of the wilderness state.
The Condition
For the most part, loss of faith is the reason why some fall into the wilderness state. They do not have the assurance in God and do not enjoy fellowship with Him. Instead the light
of Christ shining in their hearts there is a darkness that blinds their souls. They no longer feel that the Holy Spirit “beareth witness with [their] spirit, that [they] are the children of God” (Romans 8:16.)
Loss of love is another condition. This love rises and falls alongside faith. Without faith one cannot truly love God or feel content in His presence. Whatever love they once had has grown cold and dead. This lack of love is evident in their interactions with other people, for it is replaced with anger, bitterness and resentment.
Then there is loss of joy. Such believers find it increasingly difficult to rejoice in the Lord and be thankful for salvation. The fountain of joy gets dammed up so the living waters no longer refresh the thirsty soul.
Finally, there is loss of peace. That “peace of God, which passeth all understanding” no longer keeps their hearts (Philippians 4:7.) Agonizing doubts cloud the mind, seeking to rid the mind of the serenity and calm it once knew in Christ. Instead of “peace with God” there is binding fear of wrath and death.
Once these conditions combine there is no longer any dominion over sin. Yes, there may be a struggle, but sin will quickly take control and bring the soul into slavery again, until there is no trace of “righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Romans 14:17.)
The Cause
There are various reasons why Christians fall into the wilderness state, but it must be noted that God’s will is not to be listed among the. He desires our sanctification accompanied by “righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Romans 14:17.) He has provided everything for our welfare. He does not will our defeat for any reason. Here we will limit ourselves to three main causes for the wilderness state:
[1] Sin. Sin is at the root of the majority of our problems in life. This can be broken down into the following elements:
(a) The sin of commission. This is wilful, presumptuous sin; doing things we know we ought not to. Such opposition to God’s way can only alienate us from Him.
(b) The sin of omission. Rejecting the warnings and checks of the Holy Spirit. It is not doing the things we ought to.
(c) Inward sin. For example, pride and anger. Pride because it is an abomination to God and always precedes a fall (Proverbs 16:5, 18), and anger because it inflames fury, bitterness and an unChristlike spirit.
(d) Unhealthy desires. Typically lust, jealousy and covetousness.
(e) Laziness. Relaxing our commitment to the Lord. Time-wasting offers Satan an advantage over us.
[2] Ignorance. It is a shame that so few believers actually know what the Scriptures teach, but there are those who choose to ignore what God says. Some think that it is normal for a Christian to go through life in constant defeat, struggling with sin and suffering, they call it the ‘cross they have to bear.’ These mystics talk of ‘the dark night of the soul.’ This wilderness is of their own making.
[3] Trials. Trials and tribulations do have a winnowing effect in the church, for they separate the chaff from the wheat. Trials will cause a false believer to withdraw, but the true child of God will grow in faith. Some are in the wilderness because no one taught them that trials must come to test faith. They were never equipped to resist the devil. These poor people think that God has abandoned them. This wilderness is always remedied by simple faith as we trust the One “knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations” (2 Peter 2:9.)
The causes for the wilderness state usually act on us slowly so that we do not notice the change taking place. Gradually we are being drawn away from God’s light and peace. Only through repentance can we return to the place of blessedness.
The Cure
There is no one-for-all cure for every condition of the wilderness state. Some talk of ‘confessing the promises’ and being positive, but these people only make the spiritual condition worse for the one in the wilderness. This approach to alleviating the problem gives false hope and is nothing but spiritual sham. These promise-mongers destroy instead of heal. These religious charlatans “profane the blood of the covenant” (Hebrews 10:29.)
To assist someone in a wilderness state we must know why they got there in the first place. As stated, sin is usually the main cause, therefore repentance is the cure. If it is pride, then the cure is humility and love. If it is laziness, then the cure is found in stirring oneself up for the Lord. If it is ignorance, then getting to know God and His word is the answer. Do we see how disastrous it would be to get anyone of these people to ‘confess the promises’ or to make positive confessions of faith?
Conclusion
Our God is not an absent God. He does not lead us towards the Promised Land to caste us into a wilderness. Suffering, spiritual darkness, and constant defeat is not pleasing to God, regardless of what well-meaning believers think. They see themselves as martyrs being purified, but the devil is keeping them from the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit. Does not the teaching about ‘the dark night of the soul’ promote sanctification through despair rather than faith and obedience? Those who hold to this fantasy will ever walk in darkness.
If the clouds gather around us and we feel that we are lost and helpless in the wilderness, let us look for the cause of the condition. Remove the cause by applying the cure and the condition will disappear. In all such times we can flee to our Deliverer and hear Him say to our souls, “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee” (Isaiah 60:1.)