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Power of the Spirit: BFG Chapter 59 (Holding Back to Move Forward)
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Discover the highlights of this chapter shaping the New Evangelization today: https://www.builtforgreatness.com/tao-te-ching-chapter-59-power-of-the-spirit/
What if real power comes not from asserting control but from holding back? Join us as we dive deep into Chapter 59 of the Built for God Movement Handbook—a fascinating Christian interpretation of the Taoist classic, the Tao Te Ching.
This transformative discussion reveals the counterintuitive path to spiritual empowerment through restraint and surrender. "By surrendering early, one accumulates the power of the Spirit," the text declares, challenging our conventional understanding of strength. We unpack how this ancient wisdom offers a radical alternative to our culture's push for constant action and control.
Through the lens of both Christian scripture and Taoist principles, we explore how choosing restraint creates space for deeper wisdom to emerge. The paradox becomes clear: in letting go, we gain something more powerful. From Psalm 37's call to "be still and wait patiently for the Lord" to the concept of wu-wei (non-action), we discover surprising parallels between seemingly different spiritual traditions.
The conversation moves beyond theory into practical application, following the handbook's framework of mindset, aim, and practice. You'll learn how to cultivate humility, tap into spiritual strength, exercise true sovereignty through service, and build the endurance needed for lasting vision. Each concept comes with scriptural foundations and real-world applications you can implement immediately.
Perhaps most fascinating is how these principles transcend religious boundaries—appearing in Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, and Judaism. As Thomas Aquinas observed, "Truth cannot contradict truth." This universal resonance invites us to consider whether these converging insights point to fundamental truths about human nature and our relationship with the divine.
Whether you're seeking greater spiritual depth, more authentic leadership, or the ability to make a lasting impact, this episode offers wisdom that challenges conventional thinking while providing practical pathways forward. Take a moment to pause, reflect, and discover how holding back might be your key to moving forward with greater purpose and power.
Introduction to Spiritual Restraint
Speaker 1today we're going to really dig deep into one particular chapter that takes a surprising look at how we can become more powerful by actually holding back and ultimately achieving something really, really significant Sounds intriguing. It is. So we're diving into chapter 59 of the Built for God, the BFG Movement Handbook, specifically their Christian edition of the Tao Te Ching. It's a pretty fascinating blend. It kind of hints that maybe these two traditions you know, seemingly different as they might appear, actually have more in common than we might think.
Speaker 2Yeah, I can see that Like there's a deeper conversation going on here about some pretty fundamental stuff.
Speaker 1Exactly, and this chapter zeroes in on what it calls the power of the spirit and how that links to well, not just leadership or governing, but also serving others and, ultimately, this idea of eternal life and lasting vision.
Speaker 2OK, some pretty big concepts right off the bat.
Speaker 1Big ideas for sure, but the chapter breaks them down in a in a really interesting way, the BFG handbook. They have this structure for exploring renewal right Mindset, then aim, then practice. And then it even takes a look at how these ideas show up in other spiritual traditions in a section called Respond.
Speaker 2So it's not just a one-dimensional view. They're trying to connect these ideas with a broader context.
Speaker 1Exactly, and we're going to follow that same roadmap today. Our goal is not to just give you a summary, but to help you really grasp the core insights here and maybe see how they might apply to your own life, maybe even in ways you hadn't thought of before.
Speaker 2Sounds good, let's dive in.
The Power of Restraint and Surrender
Speaker 1Okay, let's start with this first big idea restraint and surrender.
Speaker 2Okay, restraint and surrender. So what does that have to do with power?
Speaker 1Well, the chapter starts with this really bold statement there's nothing better than restraint. To manifest restraint is to surrender early from wasteful ideas.
Speaker 2So, right away, it's connecting, holding back, choosing restraint, with this idea of letting go of things that are not going to serve us ultimately.
Speaker 1Exactly, and that's where the Christian lens comes in. They bring in Psalm 37, which talks about, you know, being still waiting patiently for the Lord.
Speaker 2Right that idea of finding stillness and trusting in God's timing.
Speaker 1Choosing, not to just react to every impulse. By not chasing every fleeting thought that they call wasteful ideas, it's like we're creating space for something else to emerge.
Speaker 2Okay. So it's like clearing away the clutter to make room for something more important, something spiritual.
Speaker 1Exactly, and you know it's interesting, there's a really strong parallel here with the Taoist concept of wu-wei.
Speaker 2Often translated as non action.
Speaker 1But it's not about being passive or about acting in alignment with the natural flow of things, avoiding unnecessary force.
Speaker 2I see. So when you connect that idea of waiting on the Lord with avoiding wasteful ideas, it's like trusting in a deeper wisdom, a deeper current, rather than trying to force things our own way.
Speaker 1Just maybe that's where real power comes from knowing when not to act.
Speaker 2That's a powerful thought.
Speaker 1So let's look at the renewal section. Under mindset, the aim here is to cultivate restraint and surrender your ego to God, and the explanation talks about this as well as a disciplined way of yielding our desires and choosing to align with what we believe is God's will.
Speaker 2So it's not about just giving up. There's a discipline involved, a conscious choice to surrender to something greater than ourselves.
Speaker 1Right, and it connects directly to surrendering the ego, because often those wasteful ideas they're talking about, they come from our own pride, our need to control our desire for instant gratification.
Speaker 2So by letting go of the ego, we open ourselves up to a different kind of guidance.
Speaker 1Exactly, and the real world applications they suggest are so practical. They talk about patience and leadership, taking a moment of stillness before making big decisions resisting that urge to be prideful.
Speaker 2It's like saying, in those moments where we might be tempted to rush in or assert ourselves, there's power in holding back and that active restraint.
Speaker 1Right. And then they bring in James 4.7. Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Speaker 2So there's a direction to this surrender. It's about aligning ourselves with a higher power and actively resisting negative influences.
Speaker 1And they also reference loop 9.23. Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.
Speaker 2So it's putting this idea of restraint and surrender within that Christian framework of discipleship and following Jesus.
Speaker 1Okay, let's move on to the aim section, that Christian framework of discipleship and following Jesus. Okay, let's move on to the aim section. Here the focus shifts to aiming for humility and submission.
Speaker 2Okay, so we're moving from a general mindset to a more specific aim.
Speaker 1Right, and the explanation emphasizes the importance of prioritizing God's guidance and actively resisting that need to be in control of every situation.
Speaker 2It's about recognizing that we don't have all the answers, that there's a wisdom beyond our own.
Speaker 1Exactly, and the real world examples build on this, suggesting we consciously surrender our desires when making decisions and that we actively seek guidance, especially when we're facing conflict or temptation.
Speaker 2So it's about bringing this humility into those everyday situations where we might be tempted to go our own way.
Speaker 1Right and the scriptures they connect to this aim are James 4.10. Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will lift you up, and Proverbs 3.6. In all your ways, submit to him and he will make your path straight.
Speaker 2It's like a consistent thread running through all of this surrender, humility, trust and a higher power.
Speaker 1Absolutely. Then we come to practice. This is all about putting these ideas into action. It's about consciously controlling our impulses and actively aligning our will with what we believe is God's will.
Speaker 2So it's not enough to just think about these things. We have to actually do them.
Speaker 1Right and the real-world application they emphasize is pausing to reflect before we act and actively seeking God's guidance when making decisions.
Speaker 2You know that simple act of pausing before speaking or acting can be so powerful. It can prevent a lot of mistakes and help us make choices that are more aligned with our values.
Speaker 1Then we get to the respond section where they look at these cross-religious parallels, and it's amazing how many other traditions touch on this idea of overcoming self-centered desires and aligning with a higher will.
Speaker 2It's like this universal principle that keeps popping up in different forms across cultures and religions.
Speaker 1Yeah, they mentioned Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism. Each tradition has its own way of expressing it, but the core idea is remarkably similar.
Speaker 2What's so striking is that these diverse traditions all seem to agree that true peace and fulfillment come from moving beyond our own ego-driven desires and connecting with something larger than ourselves.
Speaker 1Exactly, and the real-world application here brings it back to us. They suggest we take a pause when we feel anger rising, or that we consider a higher purpose when making choices. And the scriptures they tie in are 1 Peter 5.6. Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time. And James 4.7 again that reminder to resist the devil.
Speaker 2Okay, so we've covered restraint and surrender. What's the next big idea?
Accumulating the Power of the Spirit
Speaker 1The next core concept is accumulating the power of the Spirit.
Speaker 2Accumulating the power of the Spirit. I like the sound of that.
Speaker 1Right. The chapter states by surrendering early, one accumulates the power of the Spirit. The one who accumulates the power of the Spirit can overcome all things.
Speaker 2So it's building on that first idea. It's like by letting go, by surrendering, we actually gain something even more powerful.
Speaker 1Exactly, and they connect this to 2 Timothy 1.6-7, which talks about fanning into flame the gift of God, and that classic verse from Philippians 4.13. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Speaker 2Right. That's such a powerful reminder that our strength ultimately comes from God.
Speaker 1Yeah, and it's not just about passively waiting.
Speaker 2There's this active element of fanning into flame the gift that's already within us. So we have a role to play in nurturing and developing that spiritual power.
Speaker 1Absolutely so. The renewal section's mindset on this aims to allow the Holy Spirit to empower us through that surrender and humility we were just talking about. The explanation says that the Spirit actually strengthens our inner resolve.
Speaker 2It's like that inner strength is amplified when we connect with the Spirit.
Speaker 1And the real-world application here encourages us to actively rely on the Spirit in times of adversity, through prayer and by seeking wise counsel.
Speaker 2It's that reminder that we're not meant to go it alone, especially when things get tough.
Speaker 1Right and the supporting scriptures are Acts 1.8. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.
Speaker 2That verse really seems to be a cornerstone of this whole idea of spiritual empowerment.
Speaker 1Absolutely. The aim section then focuses on aiming for strength in the Holy Spirit, explaining that true strength, the kind that lasts, comes from aligning ourselves with the Spirit.
Speaker 2So it's about becoming more and more tuned to the Spirit's guidance in our lives.
Speaker 1Right and the real world application here is making it a practice to pray for guidance before we start tasks or even before important conversations.
Speaker 2So bringing that spiritual awareness into those everyday moments.
Speaker 1Exactly, and the supporting scriptures are Galatians 5.22.23, which talks about the fruit of the Spirit love, joy, peace, patience, all those qualities that flow from this connection, and you guessed it, philippians 4.13,. Once again.
Speaker 2That verse is like a recurring theme here.
Speaker 1It really is Okay. Practice is all about actively practicing dependence on the Holy Spirit, recognizing that the Spirit is our primary source of both strengths and wisdom.
Speaker 2So it's putting that reliance into practice moment by moment.
Speaker 1And the real world application is super straightforward. Pray for empowerment before beginning any task.
Speaker 2You know, it's amazing how such a simple practice can have such a profound impact.
Speaker 1Absolutely, and the response section again looks at how other traditions approach this. It's fascinating to see how Buddhism, islam, hinduism and Judaism all have teachings on relying on divine power or higher wisdom.
Speaker 2It's that recognition that we're not limited to our own strength, that there is a source of power beyond ourselves that we can tap into.
Speaker 1Right. It's like this universal human instinct to reach out to something greater than ourselves when we're facing challenges.
Speaker 2Exactly, and the real world application suggests that in times of crisis, we actively seek guidance through prayer or meditation. And the supporting scriptures are Philippians 4.13, of course, and Exodus 14. The Lord will fight for you. You need only to be still.
Overcoming All Things in Sovereignty
Speaker 1Okay, are you ready for the next core concept? Bring it on All right. This one's about overcoming all things in sovereignty, and the chapter really jumps into it. It says if one can overcome all things, then anything is possible. If anything is possible, then one can possess sovereignty.
Speaker 2That's a bold statement. It's like they're laying out this chain reaction linking spiritual power to limitless potential and, ultimately, to some form of sovereignty. The word sovereignty can have different meanings.
Speaker 1Exactly, and the Christian understanding of this ties it directly to the Holy Spirit. They reference Romans 8.37. In all these things, we are more than conquerors, through him who loved us.
Speaker 2So it's about overcoming through Christ, through that connection to the divine.
Speaker 1Right, and they also bring in Luke 1.37, for no word from God will ever fail.
Speaker 2Which ties into that idea of anything being possible with God.
Speaker 1And the concept of sovereignty here is rooted in God's power, as we see in Matthew 19.26. With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
Speaker 2So it's not about earthly power or control over others.
Speaker 1No, it's about something much deeper. It's about this inner sovereignty, this mastery over ourselves, our impulses, our circumstances, through the empowering presence of God in our lives.
Speaker 2It's about that inner freedom to live according to a higher calling, regardless of external pressures.
Speaker 1Exactly, and the renewal section's mindset on overcoming aims to cultivate that deep trust in God's power to help us overcome any challenge.
Speaker 2It's about developing that unshakable faith that we can overcome anything with God's help.
Speaker 1Right, and they explain it as being about triumphing over sin and fear through our relationship with Christ.
Speaker 2So it's about that inner transformation that happens when we connect with the divine.
Speaker 1And the real world application is simply having faith that we can overcome our personal struggles.
Speaker 2It's about believing that there's always a way forward, even when things seem impossible.
Speaker 1And the supporting scriptures are again Romans 8.37 and Luke 1.37. Then the mindset on sovereignty shifts to recognizing that true sovereignty ultimately belongs to God and that through the Holy Spirit we can participate in his reign.
Speaker 2So it's like we're aligning ourselves with God's ultimate authority.
Speaker 1Right. The explanation emphasizes God as the ultimate ruler and that any power or authority we might have is ultimately derived from him, and the real world application they suggest is leading with humility, even when we were in positions of authority.
Speaker 2So it's about using any influence we have for good in a way that reflects God's character.
Speaker 1Exactly, and the supporting scriptures are Psalm 95.3, for the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods, and Psalm 22.28, for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations.
Speaker 2Those verses really paint a picture of God's ultimate authority.
Speaker 1They do, Okay. The Aang section focuses on aiming for faith in God's limitless ability, referencing Luke 1.37 again, and also Luke 18.27, which says what is impossible with man is possible with God.
Speaker 2It's about expanding our understanding of what's possible when we factor in God's power.
Speaker 1And the real world application here is approaching any challenge with a belief that solutions are possible, even when we can't see them yet.
Speaker 2It's about cultivating that hopeful, optimistic outlook rooted in faith.
Speaker 1Absolutely, and the other aim in this section is for true authority, which they root in acknowledging God's ultimate sovereignty and leading with humility.
Speaker 2So it's connecting true authority with service and humility.
Speaker 1Right. The supporting scriptures for this aim are Psalm 103.19, the Lord has established his throne in heaven and his kingdom rules over all, and Matthew 20.26,. Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.
Speaker 2So true leadership isn't about power over others, it's about serving others.
Speaker 1Exactly, and the real world application is making decisions aligned with God's will and prioritizing serving others.
Speaker 2It's about putting the needs of others ahead of our own.
Speaker 1The practice section then gives us two key practices. Practice bold faith, referencing those same verses from Luke, again with the practical step of consciously focusing on God's power when we face challenges.
Speaker 2It's about actively reminding ourselves of God's power in those moments of difficulty.
Speaker 1And the second practice is practice, humility and sovereignty, referencing Matthew 20.26 again and Matthew 23.11, which says the greatest among you will be your servant.
Speaker 2So it's about putting that servant leadership into practice.
Speaker 1Right and the application is embodying servant leadership and, using any authority, we have to serve those around us.
Speaker 2It's about making sure our actions reflect that humility and that desire to serve.
Speaker 1And in the response section they draw parallels with other traditions, highlighting a belief in divine intervention or a higher power across Buddhism, islam, hinduism and Judaism.
Speaker 2It's amazing how many different cultures and religions share this belief in a power beyond our own.
Speaker 1And on the idea of sovereignty as service. They connected to Buddha's teachings on compassion, islamic Hadith about leadership as responsibility, the Bhagavad Gita's emphasis on selfless action and Jewish wisdom about caring for the poor.
Speaker 2It really is a universal theme.
Endurance and Lasting Vision
Speaker 1Okay, ready for the final core concept.
Speaker 2Hit me with it.
Speaker 1This one's about endurance and lasting vision.
Speaker 2Okay, endurance and lasting vision. It sounds like this is about the long game.
Speaker 1It is. The chapter concludes with this With the power of the spirit, one can endure for a long time. This is planting deep roots and building strong foundations, the way of eternal life and lasting vision.
Speaker 2I love that image of planting deep roots. It speaks to stability, resilience and a connection to something foundational.
Speaker 1Yeah, and they connect this idea to Galatians 6.8. Whoever sows to please their flesh from the flesh will reap destruction. Whoever sows to please their flesh from the flesh will reap destruction. Whoever sows to please the spirit from the spirit will reap eternal life and that parable of the sower in Luke 8.1315.
Speaker 2Right the parable that emphasizes that the seeds sown in good soil, the ones that endure, are the ones that bear fruit.
Speaker 1So it's about having that long-term eternal focus that comes from spiritual endurance. It's about staying committed even when things get tough, knowing that there's a bigger picture. The renewal section's mindset on endurance aims to build a foundation of faith that will allow us to endure through trials and ultimately lead to eternal life. The explanation is that the Spirit gives us this endurance and helps us maintain that eternal perspective.
Speaker 2So it's about cultivating that inner strength and resilience through our faith.
Speaker 1And the real-world application is actively investing in our relationship with God and practicing perseverance in our daily lives. The supporting scriptures are Galatians 6.9,. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. But he who stands firm to the end shall be saved.
Speaker 2Those verses really encourage us to keep going, even when it's hard.
Speaker 1The aim section then focuses on aiming for endurance and an eternal perspective, explaining the importance of focusing on the lasting impact of our lives and trusting in God's greater plan.
Speaker 2It's about shifting our perspective from the here and now to the bigger picture, the eternal realm.
Speaker 1And they reference Galatians 6.9 again and Matthew 6.1920,. Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moths and vermin destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moths and vermin do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Speaker 2So it's about prioritizing those eternal values over fleeting earthly possessions.
Speaker 1And the real world application is prioritizing long-term values over instant gratification and persevering through our struggles with that eternal view in mind.
Speaker 2It's about making choices that will have lasting significance, even beyond our own lifetimes.
Speaker 1The practice section is simply practice long-term endurance.
Speaker 2It's about putting that perseverance into action, day after day.
Speaker 1And the explanation is that this involves resisting the temptation of instant gratification and remaining faithful to our purpose over the long haul. Referencing Galatians 6.9 and Matthew 24.13 again.
Speaker 2So it's about staying focused on our goals, even when we encounter setbacks.
Speaker 1And the real-world application is about staying committed to our goals and persevering through those inevitable struggles.
Speaker 2It's about developing that grit and determination to keep going even when things get tough.
Speaker 1And the response section on endurance highlights how this theme appears in Buddhism Islam, hinduism and Judaism as well.
Speaker 2It's that universal recognition that growth and positive outcomes often require patience and resilience.
Speaker 1And the supporting scriptures are Galatians 6.9 and Psalm 92.12. The righteous will flourish like a palm tree. They will grow like a cedar of Lebanon.
Speaker 2Beautiful images of strength and growth over time.
Speaker 1So, as we wrap up this deep dive, what we've really explored in chapter 59 is this really interesting connection between intentionally holding back surrendering to a higher power and how that can lead to this thing they call spiritual power the possibility of overcoming challenges in a new way.
Speaker 2And it's so interesting how they tie that into a unique understanding of sovereignty and, ultimately, that importance of persistent faith for achieving a vision that lasts.
Speaker 1And what I found really valuable is how it's not just these abstract concepts, but they actually give you a framework, mindset, aim and practice to actually apply these ideas.
Speaker 2Yeah, it's not just theory, it's about practical application.
Final Reflections and Application
Speaker 1What's also striking is how these core principles restraint, reliance on a higher power, overcoming limitations, service and endurance show up in all these different spiritual traditions.
Speaker 2It really makes you think, doesn't it? Like maybe there are some fundamental truths about the human experience that we're all tapping into just in different ways.
Speaker 1Which brings us to our final thought. For you, the source material actually ends by quoting St Thomas Aquinas, who said truth cannot contradict truth. So, as you think about that, how does exploring these different spiritual expressions of similar ideas maybe shift your own understanding? Does it point towards a deeper unity underlying those surface level differences? We encourage you to really reflect on the power of restraint and spiritual surrender in your own life.
Speaker 2And how choosing those paths might unlock some unexpected possibility. Thanks for listening everybody.
Speaker 1Thanks for joining us.