This is going to be a sensitive subject among the Body of Christ. But it needs to be talked about, and I can speak from experience how the Holy Spirit's guidance can lead to conflict with Church leadership. In fact, I'm pretty sure that what I am going to share will offend some among my fellow Christians. That is not my intent. But I think this topic is important to understand, and I hope it can be received in a spirit of love and truth.
Of course, I am not representing myself as an authority on Church doctrine and "religious rules", but I believe what I have experienced and seen happens more often than the Faith community is aware of, or wants to admit. So, let's just dive in... first of all, what is the definition of shunning? What does it look like, and perhaps even more importantly, what does it feel like and how does it affect your walk with the Lord?
According to the dictionary, "to shun" is to persistently avoid, ignore, or reject someone through antipathy [a deep-seated feeling of dislike; hostility] or caution. In a simpler explanation, it means "to avoid or keep away from; isolate". Within the institutional Church, it is my opinion that too often, we find that people are being shunned for what they believe. Now, let me be clear ... if your belief system or theology does not align with God's Truth in Scripture, then it is incumbent upon us to avoid agreement with it and attempt to correct it, or at the very least, have an open and loving conversation about our differences, always pointing back to Scripture. But, when the sole purpose of that conversation is to discredit someone [or exclude, ostracize,or make them outcasts] because their understanding of Scripture is different than an established [by men] ritual or doctrine of a particular denomination, then I think we sully the reputation of the Church and cause harm to the Body of Christ.
Could we, for a moment, consider that perhaps God is working through some of these people to bring new understanding to His Word? Or to reveal more of Himself in their experiences? Let's take a quick look at several instances in the Bible where religious ideals were challenged by people who were shunned... yet these outcasts became an integral part of God revealing His redemptive plan. Think of the Samaritan Woman at the Well and the Woman with the Issue of Blood -- both isolated, spurned, and marginalized because they didn't fit the narrative of what a good Jew looked like. They didn't qualify for the accepted definition of "chosen by God". Yet their stories reflect that no one is disqualified from Jesus's compassion and healing, shattering the social barriers that had kept them isolated. Furthermore, their testimony of Christ's love and acceptance touched lives with His Truth.
The Bible provides more examples of people who are rejected and considered outcasts: the story of the only one of the ten lepers who returns to tell Jesus of his gratitude at his physical healing and the grace of the Lord to accept him, resulting in faith that made him well. Then there is Hagar, through whom God shows us that the world's acceptance of worth does not resemble His; all are cherished in the eyes of God. There are more examples of Biblical characters whom society or the religious communities shunned because they didn't resemble the accepted standards or fit the mold established by "leaders of the faith" ... this describes Leah, Zacchaeus, and the Prodigal Son.
But perhaps there are none more familiar than the Disciples who were shunned and judged by the religious Pharisees because they brought new teachings that came from Christ, Himself. Of course, we know that the religious leaders did not recognize Jesus as the Messiah, and therefore His revelations were seen as heresy and contrary to orthodox doctrine. Yet those teachings were God's Truth that He wanted revealed to the world. Can you possibly accept that God still works the same through people today? Let me briefly share my experience...
I was exposed to the Church and the Bible at a young age, but was not "raised in the Church", so I did not grow up in a strict religious environment of doctrinal teachings. But in my early thirties, Jesus pursued me and got my attention through a car accident in which He saved my life. I spent the next nearly 30 years, seeking more knowledge of my Lord and Savior, joining a church, and then seeking new churches as my husband and I moved to new locations. As my knowledge of the Bible grew, due to increased personal time studying it with my husband, my spirit became restless, sensing that there was more of God [and Jesus] that He wanted to reveal to me, but I wasn't receiving it from the Church, no matter how hard I tried to find Him there.
That's when I began to actively pursue my relationship with the Holy Spirit, and responding to His promptings. He made Himself known to me through my intense Bible studying. The result was that the fullness of God (and all the ways He wanted to minister to me and His followers) began to be revealed. It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, and the glory of kings to search it out [Proverbs 25:2]. That was a Biblical Truth that became a stepping stone for my husband and myself, as the Holy Spirit began leading us into more and more of God's Truth and His purpose for our lives. We learned about the power and authority Jesus gave us to do what He commanded: heal the sick, cast out demons, cleanse the lepers (socially ostracized), raise the dead -- we haven't accomplished that yet, though we have seen Jesus extend the life of individuals [whom Death was trying to claim] when we prayed and laid hands on them; and most importantly we have shared the Good News of salvation through Christ and the inauguration of His Kingdom on earth. We are extremely grateful that God trusts us to be His ambassadors for this time.
BUT, it has also been our experience that organized and institutional religion isn't too fond of those of us who hear differently from God than what has been written in their religious doctrine and Church rules. As the Holy Spirit began to illuminate God's Truth beyond the orthodox teachings of the Church, we began to find ourselves being uncomfortable with the "status quo". We wanted to shout, "People! There is more to God than what we've been taught! He's bigger than the box we have stuffed Him in!" And the experience of becoming shunned was our new reality within the confines of "the building". Whenever we tried to share what the Holy Spirit highlighted in Scripture, our fellow church members looked at us like we had three eyes, and horns were growing out of our head. And it all came to a head one day while I was sitting in a Ladies Bible Study.
I think we were discussing how to deal with feelings of hurt and trauma in our lives, and the Holy Spirit began whispering to me to share a recent, what I would call a "divine revelation", that Jesus had accomplished through a text I had received from a reader of this blog. The short version is that she had suffered sexual trauma in her teens and had been to her pastor, leaders in her women's Bible Study, and other Christian resources to help her with the residual effects of this trauma (depression, suicidal thoughts, and wondering where Jesus was in all of it). But she got no answers to relieve her physical, emotional, or spiritual pain. She said she was telling me her story because I was the last hope for someone to help her, and could I call her?
At first, I was overwhelmed. We were separated by several states and how could I help her with a phone call? My wise husband asked me, "Do you think Jesus can do that, using you as His instrument of Healing"? I didn't waste a minute and called her. The result was that the Holy Spirit guided me, revealing what Jesus wanted her to hear, and how He wanted to heal her. She had told me [in her text] that she felt like there was a glass wall between her and Jesus. She could see Him, but couldn't hear Him or get to Him. After our session, she told me that she saw that glass wall shatter and she walked into His loving arms and felt His love coursing through her! She wanted the world to know that He was real, and He was alive, and He can heal us!
Well, that experience had me in tears and thanking Him that He had trusted me to do His bidding. And as I sat there in that Women's Bible Study, listening to women pour out their hearts over the hurts they were struggling to conquer, I wanted them to know He could heal them like He had healed that reader. The Holy Spirit kept whispering, "Tell them". But I fought back out of fear ... "They won't hear me. They won't receive it". Again, the Holy Spirit whispered, "Tell them. The truth will set them free". I finally obeyed and revealed my experience with Jesus and my new friend who now was celebrating her freedom. I was almost immediately discounted and looked at as a heretic, spreading unBiblical deception. One woman went to the Pastor, who renounced my experience and the shunning began.
But my faith had been transformed. I knew the Truth of what the Bible had written about our commission from Jesus. I had followed His commandments (Matthew 10:8) and I had witnessed and experienced His power that comes to disciples willing to trust Him and be guided by the Holy Spirit. My husband and I would refuse to be silenced about the work Jesus still desires to do in the world. We would receive the work of the Holy Spirit to lead us and teach us in our moments of prayer, through the inspiring and revealing words of Scripture, and through all the trials in our lives; helping others to overcome their own trauma and trials. We would commit ourselves to living out our faith with the Holy Spirit's wisdom, counsel, understanding, might, knowledge, and the fear (awesome reverence) of the Lord that He provides.
So, to anyone who feels they have experienced shunning from The Church or Society, do not let that deter you from doing what the Holy Spirit has shown you is bringing glory to God. Learn to hear what the Lord says to you and about you, rather than man's interpretation. ALWAYS ask the Holy Spirit for discernment, and ask permission to reveal what the Lord and Holy Spirit have revealed to you. Perhaps you are being used by God to challenge others to seek more of God's Truth and Wisdom.
Shunning is not pleasant, and you will need the strength Jesus can provide to endure it. But once you've been convicted that you are receiving the Truth, you can overcome any doubts the Enemy is whispering. Suddenly, what you've read in the Bible makes perfect sense and comes alive! You see just how big our God is, and you are able to proclaim the Gospel message with humility, faith, and clarity. As your walk with the Lord becomes stronger and closer, you will find yourself equipped for service to Him and His Kingdom. Nothing -- and I do mean Nothing -- is more important in this life. Trust in His calling on your life and be bold in walking it out. Be Blessed!
1 Corinthians 2:9-10 But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him" -- these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of. God.
