Have You Been Sauled?

My mother sent this article on Saul that is very convicting.  My family has a history of having a controlling spirit that has been passed down from several generations.  This is the generation that must stop this sinful act.  I'll have to post this in several posts, but I know if you take the time to read it, you will be blessed.

This article is from the Prayer Portions by Sylvia Gunter and has been typed word for word and is in quotes.  I receive no credit for it.  It is not my own.

"The Saul Controlling Spirit

Thanks to Mary Lance Sisk of Charlotte, NC, for her excellent scriptural insight into the Saul spirit.  Blessings.

The controlling spirit personified in Saul has impacted everybody’s life.  It has violated many families personally, emotionally, spiritually, and sometimes physically.  Almost everybody has either controlled or been controlled.

Why identify and deal with the Saul spirit?

The Saul spirit in a father is the worst enemy to a person’s fully relating to our heavenly Father.  Jesus claimed intimacy with His Father, calling Him Father 156 times in the book of John, the writer with the tenderest, most loving heart.  The Jews of the day could see God as creator, or lawgiver, or righteous judge, but Jesus addressed him intimately, as Abba, Papa-God, in loving relationship.  He taught us through the model prayer to address God as “Our Father.”  In fact, Jesus died to bring us near to the Father in blood relationship.  “I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No man comes to the Father, but by me (John 14:6).”  So Fatherhood is important to God.  The first recorded words of Jesus were “Don’t you know I have to be in my Father’s house, about my Father’s business?”  In His last words from the cross, He twice addressed God as Father.  We come to God as a little child climbing up into the lap of a loving Father for help, protection, calm, loving, assurance by His presence.

The Saul spirit in a father produces a distorted picture of God.  The human family is meant to reflect heavenly reality.  When it does not, the distorted picture of God learned thereby must be unlearned years later, so that God’s Father-heart can be imparted to people who are hurting, rejected, feeling abandoned, or condemned.  Yes, God is majestic and holy and has all dominion, and He is my Daddy, Papa-God, for fellowship, immediate access, guidance, security, inheritance, life, good gifts, provision, and so much more.

The Saul spirit stands in the way of revival, because it stands between you and a deep personal relationship with God.  Controllers want to dictate even to God.  They have a hard time getting out of the way and letting God be God.

The controlling spirit is a curse that is passed down from generation to generation.  If you were raised in a household with a father or mother who is dominating, you will end up with controlling tendencies yourself.  Furthermore, you will be drawn to people who have them because that feels normal.  That is the pattern you lived in as a child.  But you do not have to live like that.  Galations 5:1 says that Jesus died to set you free.  You do not have to remain under that yoke of bondage.

Ignorance of the controlling spirit is deadly for your children.  Being ignorant of the operation of this principle of control will make you vulnerable to deadly results.  God does not want the church ignorant.  Pastors, Christian leaders, and fathers ignore at their own peril the diagnosis of this Saul spirit of control.  All Saul’s sons were tragically destroyed, except for one crippled grandson named Mephibosheth.  Think of it:  destroyed or crippled!  I have seen these Saul personalities pick off worship leaders and pastors and cripple Christian ministries.

Jesus died so that we might enjoy freedom.  Instead of cleaning up the mess, why not become enlightened and obedient to deal with Saul in a strong and righteous way?  Why station an ambulance at the bottom of the cliff?  Why not build a guard rail at the top of the cliff?

As we look at the picture of Saul as presented in 1 Samuel, stop and pray for God to open your eyes to give you deep spiritual insight, understanding, and revelation.  Ask God to reveal to you the controlling tendencies in your life, and deal with your own controlling tendencies.  When God exposes a thing, He is ready and able to heal.  He comes with the anointing for deliverance.  When you deal with the sin in your own life, you can extend grace to others and know how to pray for them.

The prophet Samuel was old, and the people wanted a king like other nations.  He warned them what the king would do to them, but they did not heed his warning.  God gave them their request, and Samuel anointed Saul king at God’s direction.  Saul was the tallest and most handsome man in Israel.  His flesh was attractive and stood out head and shoulders above others.  People accepted him and made him king before the Lord at Gilgal.  After God anointed him, God warned Saul that his kingship and his kingdom depended on obeying him.

Saul was a valiant warrior (I Sam. 14:48).  God raised up an army around him.  The best men joined him.  God put the fear of the Lord on the nation Israel to follow Saul.  God gave him victories for the people of God over the Amorites and Philistines.  God gave him everything he needed to be a leader of God’s people.  He began well and had great success, and at first we do not see much of the spirit of control operating in Saul.  It is hard to see the spirit of control in a leader in the beginning.  Most of the time, if they are chosen by God, they start off right.  It takes time to recognize this spirit in another person.  It may take months or maybe years to see the great ego, drives, and desire for power or recognition."

{20 point check-list to follow in several different posts.}