Tags
Baptism in the Holy Spirit, being born again, following Jesus, God's love, John of the Cross, John Tauler, justification, sanctification, spiritual maturity, Taylor Marshall, the dark night of the soul, the dark night of the spirit, the new self, the old self
It has been quite some time since I have wanted to deepen the issue of “The Dark Night of the Soul”, yet I did not know how to tackle that task which is anything but easy. Due to the fact that I can only write about what I know AND have already experienced, I have had to go through very deep and extremely painful valleys of dying to self recently so that I began to see more clearly what particularly the second part of the dark night is all about.
A dear brother pointed me recently in an email to the excerpt I posted below and a dear sister told me yesterday that she has been plunged into God’s dark night as well. So I thought, if you like, we could begin to delve into that topic which deals both with the justification and perfect sanctification of our souls. If the whole dark night is over, our hearts will be so pure that they can behold the eternal God forever as Jesus promised in the Sermon on the Mount,
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Mt 5:8 ESV)
Below there’s an excerpt from Dr. Taylor Marshall about the different ages we all experience on our way to God – with Jesus who is The Way. If someone wants to know where he or she might stand currently (speaking spiritually, of course), you might find it helpful to read this short exposition. Nonetheless, if you are still insecure where you might find yourself at the moment after having read it, don’t you worry! The most important thing is to know that we are all on the same path, no matter whether someone has just begun or another one has already reached the goal. It makes perfect sense to me that we are not all in the same stages at the same time since thus the (spiritually) older ones (elders in the original sense of the word) can help the young ones to grow up more and more. It is also important to acknowledge that the most spiritual believers are those who are always humble and willing to learn, even from those who have just begun their way with God and Jesus. What we can also observe is that the Christian, while growing up, is being transformed from a self-centered human being that rejoices in every spiritual high and abhors every spiritual low to a God-centered and selfless human being that is more interested in helping others to grow up than in its own comfortable condition. He and she also have learned to be less critical, but more and more compassionate toward everyone.
Eventually, here’s the short summary about “The Dark Night of the Soul”.
According to Saint Paul and Saint John of the Cross and the masters of Mystical Theology, such as John Tauler, the spiritual life consists in three ages: Beginners (Purgative Way), Proficients (Illuminative Way), Perfect (Unitive Way). Incidentally, by Perfect we mean not absolute perfection (like the saints in Heaven) but relative perfection. These three ages mirror natural human life: Childhood, Adolescence, Adulthood. Just as these three stages are transitioned by a crisis, so also progress in the spiritual life is marked by crisis.
Saint John of the Cross, the Doctor of the Church with regard to Mystical Theology, teaches that the transition from the Purgative to the Illuminative is occasioned by the “Dark Night of the Senses” and the transition from the Illuminative to the Unitive is occasioned by the Dark Night of the Spirit.
Beginners (Purgative Way)
Dark Night of Senses
Proficients (Illuminative Way)
Dark Night of the Spirit
Perfect (Unitive Way)
The Dark Night of the Senses is the crisis in which God purposefully withdraws consolations of the senses. Warm fuzzies in prayer. Discursive pictorial visions in the imagination, physical comfort, lack of external distraction.
This is very difficult because the Christian begins to worry that he is regressing or has done something to lose God’s favor. Instead, God is preparing him to enter more deeply in the love of God. The soul learns to seek the God of consolation, but not merely the consolations of God. Perhaps this Dark Night of the Senses is one of the most misunderstood elements of daily Christian living.
The Dark Night of the Spirit or Dark Night of the Soul is a crushing desolation where the soul learns to love the cross of Christ. With a desire to be more like Christ and to share in His life, the perfect learn to love persecution, humiliations, disgrace, and other problems in life since they see in them a perfect conformity to God.
(Read the rest here http://taylormarshall.com/2012/09/the-difference-between-dark-night-of.html)
Additionally, I believe that the following Scriptures might be helpful to express the desires of the heart of someone who has come to know his utter dependence on the Living God alone. King David said,
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.” (Ps 51:10-13 ESV)
Becky Johnson said:
I appreciate and have noted some quotes from above on a pad of paper. Most notably: “The Dark Night of the Senses is the crisis in which God purposefully withdraws consolations of the senses. Warm fuzzies in prayer…lack of external distraction.” Spot on for where I’m being asked to go. The last 48 hours I have fought against it. Justifying and leaning more on the reasons (read excuses) why I should stay than on the whispered call to go. I am afraid. As a woman of the senses and knowing full well that some of my identity is still intermingled in things untrue. But I am still afraid. And yet, I will go. The poem of old always comes to mind (you would have to search it online) Others May, You May Not. The words have haunted me since 2009.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
My dear Becky,
I believe I do know what you meant by saying,
“I am afraid. As a woman of the senses and knowing full well that some of my identity is still intermingled in things untrue. But I am still afraid. And yet, I will go.” 😦
I have felt the same, both before the first night and also before the second. Nonetheless, He carries us through and, what is very important too, we can help one another through these nights by praying for one another and share our burdens (Gal 6:2). I began my walk in 1995 with prestages of the first night which deepened in 2008 and was finished in 2009. I was always alone, also when I entered into the first stages of the second night in 2010.
Today I am so grateful to have brothers and sisters who share my burdens even via virtual fellowship which truly helps a lot. So, if you are afraid right now, you may know that I will continue to carry you on my heart and in my prayers. If you need help and/or encouragement, you have my email addy, dear Becky. So, don’t you worry, please, my sister – you are not alone!!
Much love ❤ and virtual hugs,
Susanne
LikeLiked by 2 people
Becky Johnson said:
As I returned to Christ after a long time in the far off country, I would spend the next few years in a bubble, it would seem. So much death falling from my prodigal life. Truth be told, I hated it. More truth be told, it was more than necessary. It feels hard and strange to step away from a thing I presumed was my “purpose.” Yet, I believe it is time. However, walking away from the social aspect of social media has terrified me these last days, as the final day for me is Saturday. I have quit many things before, in blind faith, jumping into the great Unknown. I am surrounded by people and culture that doesn’t understand such foolishness or swimming upstream. I covet your prayers.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
I think I fully understand where you are coming from, dear Becky. Blind faith is a difficult thing, indeed, but our hearts “know” where we should go while our mind might still doubt, again and again. You are on the right path, my sister. I’d highly appreciate your prayers for me as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Becky Johnson said:
Yes. Prayers. It is my pleasure, Susanne.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Michael said:
Dear Becky, You are definitely at a crossroads, “The Road Less Traveled.” Narrow is the gate that leads to eternal life (eternity living in us!).” But I can tell you that it is worth it. I spent 14 years in the dark night of my soul which was so accurately described above. It should have been the most productive time of my life. I had been empowered with the gifts of the Spirit and was “at the top of my game.” THAT was the problem… it was MY GAME! I was in my prime! Then I dared to ask God how HE saw me and it was my undoing. I was filled with pride through and through. Father faced me with the same decision. Would I “find my life” and lose it or would I lay down my life so I could find the Life of Christ unbound by my flesh? Believe me, THIS is the road less traveled in modern Christendom. “And few be they who find it.”
“For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. Therefore Jesus also… suffered outside the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him outside the camp, bearing his reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.”
(Hebrews 13:11-14 KJ2000)
Remember, my friend, that once the wilderness has purged us of all that Egypt of Christendom in us… “We have an altar, of which they have no right to eat who serve the tabernacle.” (Hebrews 13:10 KJ2000). IT IS WORTH IT ALL!!!
Praying for you, my dear sister,
Michael
LikeLiked by 3 people
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
I was just reminded of a short prayer which also helped my to face my fears during the dark night of the soul. Here it is.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Becky Johnson said:
Thank you! I just copied that down & will post it on my kitchen cupboard. It is true. I know in my spirit that it is true.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
You’re most welcome, Becky! 🙂
I am so glad you like it too – same spirit! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
wayne said:
Don’t know if or how this relates to what you are saying ,other than it seems to be a progression , but this scripture came to mind while i was reading your article- 1Jn.2 12-14 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.
13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. Do you have any thoughts ?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
Ha! YESSS, Wayne – very good!!! 🙂
Absolutely, these verses describe exactly those three different spiritual (st)ages:
(1) little children
(2) young men
(3) fathers
Little children still struggle with sin, young men have overcome the flaming darts of the evil one, and fathers are completely ONE with God and everything that He has created. I remember that I wrote elsewhere (on another blog) about it, maybe two or three years ago, but I am not sure at the moment where it was…. 🙄 …. Maybe, the Lord reminds me again.
Thanks so much for listening to His Spirit, my dear brother. And I am glad to see you back on here. In fact, I was already wondering where you were because I missed your comments!
Love,
Susanne
LikeLiked by 1 person
wayne said:
Susanne – i have been here all along reading yours and others articles. After i read i ask the Lord if He has anything to say through me and sometimes He just shuts me down. i think of all these wonderful things to say 🙂 sometimes i even write them down and erase them cause it’s just not Him and He’s the Boss. If the Lord reminds you of your insight into that scripture i would like to hear it. i have some also but this isn’t place for it.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
Yes, we all know this “shutting down”, don’t we, if we really listen to Him…
I will surely tell you if He reminds me of that very thing once again. Promise, Wayne! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
Found it, Wayne. Thank God! 🙂
I post the links to two of my comments here which I originally wrote on TT’s (i.e. Tullian Tchivijian’s) blog three years ago. The replies belong together. Please, keep in mind that my comments, esp. the second, were addressed to churchgoers since Tullian is a pastor and one or two of the commenters there as well.
(1) http://www.pastortullian.com/2012/02/16/dying-to-live/#comment-7738
(2) http://www.pastortullian.com/2012/02/16/dying-to-live/#comment-7742
Maybe, you let me know your insights into that Sripture now, my brother. Lord willing, as always… 😉
God bless,
Susanne
PS
I just saw that the links directly “touch down” at the beginning of Tullian’s article, not in the comments section, nor even display my replies. So, just in case you want to read them, though, please, scroll down a bit…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Michael said:
Susanne, this is so true. God does not want us “believing our own press releases,” as one man put it… Those who are walking in the love of God do not spend their time admiring (or picking apart) themselves in the mirror of self-reflection. I like what Oswald Chamber wrote here,
“Most of us live only within the level of consciousness — consciously serving and consciously devoted to God. This shows immaturity and the fact that we’re not yet living the real Christian life. Maturity is produced in the life of a child of God on the unconscious level, until we become so totally surrendered to God that we are not even aware of being used by Him. When we are consciously aware of being used as broken bread and poured-out wine, we have yet another level to reach— a level where all awareness of ourselves and of what God is doing through us is completely eliminated. A saint is never consciously a saint— a saint is consciously dependent on God.”
LikeLiked by 3 people
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
Indeed, Michael, I have been thinking of that very thing as well, I mean, Oswald Chambers’ devotional. 😉
Very good! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
WOW!! Yes, you’re right….the voice said, “Listen to Him”. Glad you reminded me. Indeed, I had forgotten about it completely. 😛
Thank YOU, my dear sister. ❤
Susanne xoxo
LikeLiked by 2 people
Michael said:
I want you sisters to know how much your loving fellowship has blessed me to read. I see so much maturity as well as growth among you all.
Michael
LikeLiked by 3 people
Kenneth Dawson said:
There is no doubt about the growth stuff–I know because ive had 40 years of it as a born from above saint and boy I am sure I will be experiencing it for all of eternity.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
Yes, Kenneth, I believe we will keep growing for all of eternity. Probably no longer in these three categories, but in heavenly categories we cannot even imagine yet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Anna Waldherr said:
Reading your blog is likely drinking the water from a deep well. Thank you, Susanne, for having created such a special place for souls who love Christ to congregate.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
Oh, dear Anna! You are such a lovely blessing from God! WOW!!! 🙂
Your comment truly made my day which was not thaaat wonderful until now. Thank you sooo much for being YOU!
Love ❤ ❤ ❤
Susanne xoxo
LikeLiked by 2 people
Michael said:
Anna, I agree! God has put such a healing heart in Susanne. It is a real blessing to be on this blog with her and these other dear saints… truly a rare thing in this world of confusion and chaos.
Susanne, I am praying the rest of your day is better.
“The LORD is there to rescue all who are discouraged and have given up hope. The LORD’s people may suffer a lot, but he will always bring them safely through.”
(Psalms 34:18-19 CEV)
Michael
LikeLiked by 1 person
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
Thank you very much, Michael! You may know that your prayer has been heard by God. Doing waaay better right now! 🙂
Love,
Susanne
LikeLiked by 1 person
wayne said:
Susanne- read your replies to article on T.T.s page my understanding from what i read is that we believe the same about the scripture showing progression i think 🙂 got a little dizzy reading the sparring of doctrine from those guys , the Lord rebuked me awhile back for using the sword , His word, for fencing , but thats just me . the insight i have you are probably familiar with in the types and shadows. for instance with little children same as passover in the feast and outer court in the tabernacle in the wilderness. young men Pentecost Holy Place. and Fathers tabernacles and Holy of Holies if i go into detail it gets a little long winded. but just a little the outer court refers to repentance, the Holy Place to sanctification, and Holy of Holies glorification.With little children- sins are forgiven having to do with the outer court and sacrifice, brazen alter ( Sacrifice and death ) and laver -covered round about with mirrors and filled with water Ps.51:2 wash and cleansed from iniquity ( mirrors – seeing your iniquity-repentance and baptized into His death ). in 1Jn. it says that Jesus came by water and blood. 1Jn5:8 on earth 3 that bare witness the Spirit , blood and water heb.9:14 Jesus by , or through , the Holy Spirit ,was empowered , not my will but thy will be done , to offer himself up to death on the cross,the same with us. nothing in our flesh want’s to die.Rom8:13 but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. it is the Spirit , Jesus life in us ,that empowers us if we yield ( not my will but your will- God resist the proud but gives grace to the humble ) to take up our cross on a daily basis and die to our self life. now i’m a little dizzy reading my stuff 🙂 those types and shadows, children, young men, fathers, can go on and on but they have alot of truth in them. it still amazes me how it all connects and points to Jesus and our life in Him. Now to a story about T.T.’s church Coral Ridge . i lived in Ft. Laud. Fl. for 50yrs. the home of C.R.P. the pastor then was D.J Kennedy.i was there a few times but it wasn’t for me. i worked with some builders that were some of his leadership and when they found out i was a beleiver i got shovel fed there doctrine whether i wanted it or not. sometimes you have to eat crow to get work. i have read some of the articles you posted by T.T. and they are insightful .Since Fla. i have moved to Ga. last yr i was starting to get a group together and one of the young couples that came , shades of FT. laud. ,was steeped in Presbyterian doctrine and tried to shovel feed it to me. some things never change, except i didn’t need them for work so i put a stop to that and they left. After they left i found out they were closing in a loft space and needed some help so i went and helped them . wanted to show them just because i didn’t want there doctrine didn’t mean i didn’t love them as a brother and sister. i am being a little long winded it’s time to stop. ~ wayne
LikeLiked by 2 people
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
Glad we agree, Wayne. 😉
Thanks so much for sharing the OT types referring to that Scripture here. I never thought about it before and I always love to learn something new when it comes from His Spirit.
You are so right, my brother. Back then I commented rather often on Tullian’s blog and those doctrinal fights and sometimes personal attacks were really unnerving. 😛 Nonetheless, the Lord taught me thus how to graciously take a stand. Insofar it made sense to me (that “lesson”, that is). And like you I say, “Love first, then doctrine.”
What a coincidence that you even lived in Fort Lauderdale! Somehow funny… What I read about Kennedy who had been pastor before TT, was that he would be extremely conservative. TT is more liberal because he made bad experiences in church with being “beaten down” by THE LAW.
Thank you also for sharing your “Florida testimony” on here, Wayne. Much appreciated!
Love,
Susanne
LikeLiked by 1 person
Michael said:
Speaking of our loving community on this blog, I found this quote from Henry Nouwen this morning…
“The important question is, “Do we have a circle of trustworthy friends where we feel safe enough to be intimately known and called to an always greater maturity?” Just as we lift up our glasses to people we trust and love, so we lift up the cup of our life to those from whom we do not want to have secrets and with whom we want to form community.
“When we do want to drink our cup and drink it to the bottom, we need others who are willing to drink their cups with us. We need community, a community in which confession and celebration are always present together. We have to be willing to let others know us if we want them to celebrate life with us. When we lift our cups and say “to life,” we should be talking about real lives, not only hard, painful, sorrowful lives, but also lives so full of joy that celebration becomes a spontaneous response.” ~ Henri Nouwen, “Can You Drink the Cup?”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
Really great quotes, Michael! Thanks so much for sharing them on here.
I believe we can only trust those with who God has put us together. If there are two or three (or more) believers who set their minds on Christ and His (spiritual) life first, we know that we may trust them because we have the same eternal goal and our Lord adjusts our thinking, speaking and acting. Alas, this is not possible with “worldly” friendships as I had to (painfully) realize in the past.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Michael said:
I think that what Henri Nouwen wrote here is what John in his letter to the church was talking about when he said,
“And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
(1 John 1:4-9 KJV)
Yes, these kind of relationships that are centered on the Love of Jesus are very rare indeed, but oh, how rejuvenating and vital they are when we find them!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
Yes, those relationships are very rare, yet they do exist and eventually end all our feelings of loneliness on our walk with Him. The Scripture you quoted is very appropriate, Michael, and I was just reminded of another one written in the same letter.
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” (1 Jn 2:15-17 ESV)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Michael said:
And Susanne, those who abide in the love of our Father are the ones who are doing His will. Here is another quote from Henri Nouwen
“When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand.”
Henri Nouwen
Susanne, you have been such a person to many of us. Thank you so much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
You are most welcome, my dear brother. You know that you have been such a person to me as well. Thank YOU very much, Michael!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Michael said:
Susanne, Along with what you wrote, “the Holy of Holies cannot be entered before our old self/old man has died completely and we have given up on our own life.” Yes!
“For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go forth to him outside the camp and bear the abuse he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city which is to come.” (Hebrews 13:11-14 RSVA)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
Amen. Thanks so much for confirmation, Michael!! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lisa said:
Dear Susanne,
I just found your blog and wanted to share that It was an extreme comfort and blessing to read about the stages of spiritual growth. I’ve been born again for two and a half years. From almost day one of my rebirth and the Father has directed me through what I would consider an extreme Dark night of the senses and discipline extending to every single area of my life. He is now preparing me for the Dark night of the spirit and that it will be a “crushing desolation”. As you can imagine this has all required a great deal of obedience and ongoing adaptation. I am a very different person than I was two and a half years ago. I’m also not part of any congregation at this time so coming across your blog was a much needed breath of fresh air and sense of fellowship. I am so relieved to have the insight that my process is a natural part of spiritual growth , albeit expedited. Thank you so much for the encouragement.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
Oh, dear Lisa,
You are very welcome as to the encouragement! 🙂
I am so glad you found my blog helpful for what you have been going through yourself. If you want to share more with me about your own Dark Night (of the Senses), I offer you to write me an email. If you like, you could “pour your heart completely out”. I know how difficult it is to go through such painful times alone since it is very hard to find someone who really understands. There are only a few people who know the dark night(s) from their own experience. So, just in case you feel inclined to write me, I am going to send you a short email now so that you get to know my email addy too.
Much love to you ❤
Susanne from Bavaria
xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
totellthetruth1962 said:
What a beautiful statement Susanne!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
Thank you, Stacey. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fred Thoren said:
I think I am confused as to where I am at. I do desire to be more like Christ.
LikeLiked by 1 person