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Defining Legalism

September 18, 2015 by Robert Hartzell

Productive Wilderness Life Series (Part 4) – Integrating the Father’s Love

Defining legalism as authoritarianism is interesting.

 

Authoritarianism

Defining Legalism is interesting to consider in the light of authoritarian issues. If you consider the characteristics of an abusive authoritarian father or mother, they are the same as you find in a controlling, legalistic, abusive church environment.

I ministered to a pastor’s son who grew up in this type of environment. His father was angry, legalistic, and abusive. Bathing suits, secular music, television, and even Christmas celebrations were all off limits and harshly judged. This pastor talked a lot about holiness requirements but walked in very little love and compassion toward others.

defining legalismThese harsh environments are judgmental and shaming. People existing in these environments constantly fear being judged so they learn to live by secrecy. Transparent, intimate relationships don’t exist.

Why do people fall into this legalistic behavior?

Control Issues for Defining Legalism

People battle legalism out of a need to be in control. A person controls because deep down they feel fearful of not measuring up to God’s standards or of being hurt emotionally through rejection or abandonment. They haven’t learned to allow God’s love to keep them safe and so they use control tactics.

Control manifests in two ways, overt and covert. This is what many call “fight or flight.” We try to use anger, snide remarks, judgments, sarcasm, even violence to get people to cooperate with us (overt), or we disappear, become passive aggressive, or use the silent treatment (covert). Also covertly, we hide or don’t “show up.”

And all of us, when triggered, can fall into these behaviors.

Can you allow God to stretch you into facing ways you struggle with being authoritarian?

Consider the quote below as an interesting way of defining legalism:

“Measurement of tendencies toward authoritarianism has long been a favorite procedure of social psychologists and sound tests of the trait have been available for many years. Measuring tendency toward black and white judgment, tendency to be suspicious or negative about anyone who is different, the insistence on systems of absolute obedience, and the presumption that one set of standards would be best for everything, everywhere, for everyone.” (Ward)

Again, these traits can be seen in hurt, abusive people as well as legalistic church settings. Principles are principles. Fearful people have standard ways they respond to protect themselves and get their needs met.

However, when we allow and cooperate with God stretching us, we grow and find freedom and love.

“The stretching process produces an acceptance of others and their faults and an increased ability in us to share our own autonomy,” i.e.— Sonship. (Ward p.13)

Integrating

This is integrating God’s love at a heart level. With integration comes a deep acceptance of others, an understanding of their struggles, an ability just to listen with no need to talk or control conversation and yet no haughtiness, and an ability to share of myself with anyone at any level of maturity or socio-economic standing.

Next time we’ll consider sonship identity issues in the light of legalism and how to overcome.

Filed Under: Sonship

Books

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About Robert Hartzell

Robert Hartzell is the director of Robert Hartzell Inc. An organization dedicated to equipping people with tools for emotional health and Christian maturity. He also leads Fountains of Life, a missions ministry for equipping leaders in the nations.
Robert is the Author of The Sonship Empowered Life and Fathering Leadership. He is also a speaker on Fathering Leadership, The Father's Love, and Sonship.
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Comments

  1. linda says

    September 21, 2015 at 8:42 am

    Great insight on controlling people, and good spirit check when I’m slipping into one of these behaviors! Thanks 🙂

  2. Uriel C. says

    September 22, 2015 at 9:50 am

    Thank you Robert for your ministry. This teaching is much needed in the body of Christ. Authoritarian leadership is very common in third world countries. Poverty wounds people deeply. Authoritarian leadership is also modeled by tyrannical political leaders in these countries. That is not to say that we do not suffer from legalistic leadership in America. I look forward to the next teaching on this subject.

  3. Lynn says

    September 23, 2015 at 8:24 am

    Abba continue to Bless you and Cyndi as you share His Love and Truth, Robert !!!

    As a child growing up, I lived under what you are talking about here, to such an extent, it has taken much ministry and Abba’s refusal to give up on me, even when everyone else seemed to, and at times even i gave up on myself, He never has and even more, He never will !!

    For most of my life I’ve lived under the lie/s of being to blame/responsible for everyone, and everything round about me too, to the extent I took the blame/responsibility for the abusive word, the violent slap, the bullying/overbearing behaviour, but Loving and Forgiving your enemies doesn’t mean you take the blame For what others have said/done to you and doesn’t mean believing what they say either.

    Love and Countless Blessings to you both as you minister Abba’s Love and Grace and Truth !!!

    Lynn

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hmmdbookWant to go deeper in your experience of the Father’s Love? Get The Sonship Empowered Life, A Road Map to Growth and Maturity.

fatheringleadership5.5x8.5Want to grow deeper in your leadership creating a culture of growth for others? Get Fathering Leadership, Creating A Culture of Growth.

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