The Dark Night of the Soul (conclusion)
Today’s post will conclude my review of “The Dark Night of the Soul,” written by John of the Cross in the sixteenth century. I’ve already noted two of the hindrances to spiritual growth mentioned by John - secret pride and over-dependence on feelings. When God allows one of His children to enter the dark night, these are the first demons with which we are forced to wrestle. Today, I want to share the three more hindrances John mentions, as well as some wise advice from this aged saint.
Spiritual wrath is the third sin God deals with as we enter into the dark night. Like an infant pulled from its mother’s breast, writes John, is the reaction of many Christians to the loss of God’s presence. In their anger, some blame themselves, thinking the loss of God’s presence is because of something they have or have not done. Many double their efforts in prayer and the spiritual disciplines seeking to become what John calls “saints in a day.” The problem is patience, waiting for what God will give and when He will give it. “They must learn spiritual meekness,” writes John, “which will come about in the dark night.”
Spiritual gluttony is the fourth sin. Gluttony comes in many shapes and sizes, and in this day and age, many of us are guilty of it. Why should we be surprised, then, to learn that we can become spiritual gluttons?. “Many souls become addicted to the sweetness of the devotional life,” says John, “and strive to obtain more and more of it.”
I’ll be honest with you - I have an addictive personality. When I first retired, I decided I would play golf once a week and practice a couple of days on the driving range and putting greens. Less than a month later, I was playing five days a week and practicing ALL THE TIME. This is typical of Dan over the years. And I have brought that same addictive personality into my spiritual life. At times, I have gone too far in my spiritual exercises. John’s words here really speak to me -
“They are not walking in true obedience, but rather, are doing what they want in the time and measure that they have chosen.”
There is an interesting verse in Paul’s letter to the Colossians. It’s found in Colossians 2:23. Here is the literal translations from Young’s, and I’m going to start with verse 21 -
- thou mayest not touch, nor taste, nor handle - - which are all for destruction with the using, after the commands and teachings of men, which are, indeed, having a matter of wisdom in will-worship, and humble-mindedness, and neglecting of the body - - not in any honor, unto a satisfying of the flesh.
Will-worship. That’s what John of the Cross is talking about. And for those who pride themselves on a disciplined life, this is a spiritual danger. We wind up worshiping our discipline rather than worshiping Christ Jesus.
It’s easy to read “The Dark Night of the Soul” and come away feeling depressed and overwhelmed by the challenges of discipleship. This is especially true for those who genuinely want to serve the Lord. But there’s good news, and I want to share John’s final words as I close this post -
Let it suffice to say, then, that God perceives the imperfections within us, and because of his love for us, urges us to grow up. His love is not content to leave us in our weakness, and for this reason, he takes us into the dark night.
I can’t help but think that at least one person needs to hear these words. It’s not easy following Jesus. He never said it would be. But I can tell you, as someone who has been to the edge and looked down, it’s worth every painful moment. The rewards of heart and soul are beyond words.
In Christ,
Dan
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